Runway incursions could end in tragedy – Aviation operators warn

Sep 22, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The Aviation Operators’ Association of Guyana (AOAG) is warning that the growing threat of animals, people and other obstructions entering active runways, particularly at hinterland aerodromes could result in a serious aviation tragedy if urgent measures are not taken.

The warning comes in the wake of the recent aircraft occurrence at Mabaruma, where an aircraft ran off the runway during landing following an animal incursion. While the circumstances of that incident remain under investigation by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the AOAG said the broader problem of animals and people entering aerodrome operating areas has been a longstanding concern for aircraft operators.

According to the association, an aircraft taking off or landing is at one of the most critical stages of flight, leaving pilots with very little time to respond when an unexpected obstruction appears on the runway. A dog, cow, horse, pig, bird, person, vehicle or other obstruction could force a pilot to make an emergency decision within seconds, including aborting a take-off, executing a go-around, applying heavy braking or taking evasive action.

The AOAG said such actions could place passengers, crew and aircraft at considerable risk. The association stressed that hinterland aerodromes are not merely transportation facilities, but critical lifelines for communities, providing access to medical evacuations, food and other supplies, passenger transportation, government services, tourism and emergency response.

“Protecting these aerodromes must therefore be a shared responsibility,” the AOAG said.

It is calling on residents living near aerodromes to keep livestock away from airport boundaries, refrain from crossing runways and desist from damaging perimeter fences.

Residents are also being urged to immediately report any animals, persons or other hazards observed within restricted areas. At the same time, the AOAG is calling on aerodrome operators and the relevant authorities to strengthen runway inspections, perimeter security, wildlife-control measures and systems for reporting and responding to hazards.

The association said the objective should not be to assign blame, but to prevent an avoidable tragedy. “A runway is not a roadway, footpath or grazing area,” the AOAG warned, stressing that when an aircraft is taking off or landing, “even a few seconds can mean the difference between a normal operation and a serious accident.”  The association is therefore appealing to communities across Guyana to help protect hinterland aerodromes and the lives of the passengers, pilots and communities that depend on them. The AOAG also called on the GCAA to “assert its authority” and ensure that all aerodromes in Guyana are properly regulated and meet the required aviation safety standards.

Last Thursday a black dog running onto the Mabaruma runway during the landing of a Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) aircraft forced the pilot to take evasive action, sending the aircraft off the runway and triggering renewed concerns about safety at Guyana’s hinterland aerodromes. The Cessna Caravan, registered 8R-GCC, was landing at approximately 8:15 a.m. with 12 passengers aboard when, according to TGA, the pilot spotted an animal entering the aircraft’s path during the landing roll. The pilot reportedly applied the brakes aggressively, after which the aircraft skidded off the runway and came to rest sideways.

No injuries were reported, although the passengers were taken for medical assessment. The aircraft, however, sustained significant damage and was rendered inoperable, according to TGA.

The incident prompted TGA to renew its call for urgent action to address what it described as the recurring problem of animals and even people gaining access to government-owned and operated hinterland airports. In a statement issued last Friday, the airline said the incident represents a “considerable concern” because such incursions pose a continuing threat to commercial and private aircraft using the aerodromes.

TGA said it had already raised the issue with the Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), including a correspondence dated 9^th September  and 16^th June, 2026. The airline said it was releasing those letters publicly in light of Thursday’s incident at Mabaruma.

The airline is now calling for the matter to be urgently addressed, particularly as several hinterland airports are undergoing significant expansion and development. TGA said it remains available to work with the GCAA, other licensed aircraft operators and the Aviation Operators’ Association of Guyana (AOAG) to find a solution. Meanwhile, the GCAA has launched an investigation into the Mabaruma incident. The authority said preliminary information indicates that the aircraft experienced a runway excursion and that its Accident and Investigation Team was dispatched to the site to conduct a detailed assessment. The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and the factors that led to the aircraft leaving the runway.

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• aviation, GCAA, hinterland aerodromes, Runway incursions

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