An aviation expert has described the safety record of microlight aircraft as poor, noting that accidents involving such aircraft are relatively common in countries where they are widely used.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, Mr Yakubu Akparibio said although microlights are not common in Ghana, they are widely used in regions such as the United States and Europe.
“It’s important for me to let you know that these accidents involving microlights are pretty much common. You know, microlights are not common in Ghana, but when you go to the U.S. or in Europe, they are very common and their safety record is very, very poor, so they are prone to getting accidents,” he said.
The Aerospace and Aviation Medicine Practitioner’s comments follow a recent microlight aircraft incident in Tema which claimed two lives.
Mr Akparibio stressed that incidents involving such aircraft occur frequently due to their lightweight structure and limited safety features compared to conventional aircraft.
“And these accidents involving these microlights are common,” he added.
The expert emphasised that the exact cause of the Tema incident cannot yet be determined until investigators complete their report.
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