Presidential Jet Undergoing Final Tests – Deputy Defence Minister
The presidential Falcon 900EX EASy aircraft, which has been undergoing maintenance and repair in France, is expected to return to the country soon. This information was shared by the Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, during a session in Parliament.
During his response to questions in the House yesterday, Mr. Genfi explained that the aircraft was transported to Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) in Le Bourget, France, on March 11, 2025. The move was made for its scheduled 24-month/1600 flight-hour periodic inspection. This inspection is a mandatory process to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.
The inspection involved a range of maintenance tasks, functional checks, and addressing previously identified corrosion issues within the fuel tanks. These issues had caused delays in the aircraft’s return to the country. According to Mr. Genfi, the corrosion spots have been thoroughly repaired and resolved.
However, during the inspection, new challenges emerged. Fuel leakages were observed from the right-hand wing tank. Although this section was repaired, another issue arose when reinstalling the lower panel beneath the wing. This unexpected development led to further delays. In response, Dassault Aviation invited the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Falcon wing to conduct an on-site assessment and provide technical recommendations to speed up the repairs.
Mr. Genfi confirmed that the OEM’s repair work has now been successfully completed, and the right-hand wing has been fully restored. He outlined the remaining procedures before the aircraft’s return, including:
- A fuel tank leak test
- A third engine ground run
- Painting of the repaired panel
- A final acceptance flight to confirm operational safety
“The Falcon 900EX aircraft will return to Ghana after all the necessary tests have been completed,” he assured.
The process of bringing the aircraft back to the country involves careful planning and execution to ensure that it meets all safety and regulatory standards. The maintenance and repair efforts reflect the commitment of the government to maintaining a reliable and safe presidential aircraft.
This update highlights the importance of regular maintenance and inspections for high-profile assets such as the presidential jet. It also underscores the collaborative efforts between local authorities and international partners to address technical challenges and ensure smooth operations.
As the final stages of the inspection and testing continue, the focus remains on ensuring that the aircraft is in optimal condition for its return. Once all required tests are completed, the Falcon 900EX EASy will be ready to serve its purpose once again.