Three helicopters, travelling from Guyana to French Guiana, made an emergency landing in Coronie on Thursday.
According to the De Ware Tijd (DWT) newspaper, the passengers, two Americans and four Brazilians, who had entered the country illegally, were released some hours later after having been detained for questioning.
Near Coronie, DWT said, one of the copters experienced technical problems and the Surinamese aviation authorities gave permission for an emergency landing. In line with standard procedures, the six passengers were detained after the Coronie police had been informed, police spokeswoman Maritha Ritfeld-Asontoe was quoted as saying.
The police investigation showed that no criminal offences had been committed, and no illegal substances were found in the copters. After consultation with the Prosecutor-General, the passengers were released.
According to an aviation source, the three helicopters departed Timehri for French Guyana in a formation flight and were proceeding on a single flight plan.
The source said it was within Suriname’s borders that one of the helicopters experienced a mechanical problem.
The crew then informed air traffic control in the neighbouring country that they were making an emergency landing there.
While it is unclear whether the aircraft landed at an airfield, because of the aircraft type and its manoeuvring capabilities, helicopters are permitted by aviation laws in most jurisdictions to land at any suitable location where possible, the source noted.
He said that in the event that an investigation may be undertaken into the incident, it will be done by the Surinamese and since the flight originated here the local aviation body will be required to provide relevant information to the neighbouring state.
