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Day Three: Miners report possible sighting of missing plane
With still no sign of the Britten Norman Islander aircraft that went missing last Sunday, the search and rescue party is expected to widen its efforts to areas close to the intended destination.
Missing pilot: Nicky Persuad
Twenty-seven-year-old Captain Nicky Persaud and 51-year-old cargo loader David Bisnauth have been missing for three days now, after contact was lost with the plane which was making its way to Karisparu – a community in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni).
The plane was attached to Air Services Limited (ASL), a local operator conducting mostly interior flights.
Kaieteur News understands that the search is being concentrated closer to the aircraft’s intended destination because of a possible sighting. It was related that an earlier spotting was reported but this turned up empty.
A release from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed the possible sighting. According to the agency, “eyewitness reports indicate that the aircraft was spotted closer to Karisparu, which prompted the decision to concentrate in areas including Winiperu, Taffy, Black Water and Konawaruk Rivers, which fall within the already identified area of interest.”
The new area of concentration is 60 square miles and approximately 10 miles from Mahdia based on reported sightings which are being investigated. “Unfortunately, at 17:20 hrs, operations were suspended due to inclement weather and the impending sunset.”
The search teams were equipped with Emergency Locator Transmitter Locator (ELTL) – a tracking device which aids in the detection and location of aircraft.
The agency reported further that on the ground, Tesouro Resources, a mining company, through its Finance Manager Ray Beharry, joined in the search.
Search and rescue coordinators will be back at it today.
“Two fixed wing aircraft and three rotor wing aircraft, including one Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter, continued the search yesterday.” Phoenix aircraft was also said to have provided assistance in the aerial search.
“GCAA Investigators and GDF Special Forces remain on standby in Mahdia for deployment.”
The agency recorded flying time logged for the third day of search efforts; the aerial reconnaissance was 11 hours and 52 minutes. The total search hours flown to date is 29 hours and 54 minutes.
On Sunday, the Britten Norman Islander aircraft 8R-GHE disappeared en route to Karisparu.
Captain Persaud and Bisnauth were said to be carrying equipment to the location.
While information is sketchy on the cargo handler, Kaieteur News was told that the pilot’s father-in-law had travelled to Mahdia to ascertain information on his relative.
The pilot’s family, the newspaper was told, has been spending most of their day at the ASL office waiting anxiously for word on their relative. Another day in futility has not been easy, but they are expected to return today.
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