Latest update April 16th, 2026 12:40 AM
ASL crash rescue hampered by terrain, not capability – Gouveia
…search teams still unable to reach Region 8 crash site
Kaieteur News – Two days after an Air Services Limited (ASL) aircraft crashed in the Region Eight jungle, rescue teams are still battling harsh terrain and dense vegetation as they attempt to reach the site, while concerns continue to mount over the fate of the pilot.
National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia
As hope for a swift rescue wanes, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the response, particularly the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) teams deployed to the area. However, National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia has pushed back against suggestions that the delay is due to inadequate capability.
In a social media post, Gouveia said the narrative that search and rescue efforts are being hindered by a lack of advanced helicopters or trained personnel is “simply incorrect and far removed from the reality on the ground.”
Rescue teams are still unable to reach crash site after two days.
He noted that the GDF’s Bell helicopters are highly capable aircraft, equipped with advanced avionics, strong performance specifications, and flown by experienced and well-trained pilots. However, he stressed that even with modern equipment, search and rescue operations are ultimately dictated by environmental and safety conditions.
Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar
“Even with the best equipment and the most experienced crews, aviation operations, particularly search and rescue, are governed not by capability alone, but by physics, safety limits, and environmental conditions,” he stated.
Gouveia added that rescue efforts in such terrain depend heavily on conditions on the ground, safety margins, and disciplined execution rather than equipment alone.
His comments came in response to criticism from Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who described the rescue effort as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” questioning the preparedness and capacity of the GDF despite significant budgetary allocations.
Mohamed argued that the response appeared “slow, disjointed, and ineffective,” and criticised what he described as limited ground deployment in difficult terrain where every minute is critical.
GCAA Head, Egbert Field
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar confirmed in a statement that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has deployed investigators to the crash area, believed to be in the vicinity of Imbaimadai.
He said the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC) remains fully operational, providing logistical and operational support to the GDF and other agencies involved in the mission.
Indar further noted that the crash site is located on a steep ridge, with dense tropical vegetation significantly hampering both air and ground access. He added that special forces personnel are working urgently to establish a viable route to the site.
While official confirmation is still pending, there is growing speculation that the ASL Cessna Caravan, registration 8R-YAC, may have been involved in shuttle operations in the interior at the time of the crash.
Fuel shuttle operations have previously been linked to aviation accidents in Guyana. In 2017, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority temporarily suspended such operations following a series of crashes over a two-month period, two of which were fatal, according to earlier DPI reports.
At the time, then GCAA Head, Egbert Field stated that shuttle operations were suspended pending review and approval of safety procedures and documentation.
Rescue efforts are expected to continue as authorities work against challenging terrain and deteriorating conditions in the search area.
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