By Antonio Dey
The two survivors of Wednesday’s helicopter crash in Region Seven were brought to the city yesterday and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit has begun its probe into the tragedy.
This is according to Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA), Lt. Colonel (Rtd) Egbert Field told Stabroek News yesterday.
Field noted that the investigation unit, which is an independent unit of the GCCA is answerable to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill who will be provided with updates on the investigation.
He said that while the probing unit consists of experts from the local aviation authority, it will be assisted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent US government investigative agency, responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.
“We will get assistance from the NTSB, and when I say we, I mean the Accident Investigation Unit, which is answerable to the Minister of Public Works. The body is an independent annex of us [GCAA].
“They will help us in areas where we don’t have the requisite equipment to complement the investigation, [also] the accident investigation unit is required to report to the minister and not the director general of the GCCA,” he explained.
The Director General disclosed that if the GCAA doesn’t follow international civil aviation standards, as required during the accident investigation, the investigation unit can summon the Authority for questioning.
“Let’s say the GCCA, doesn’t follow international civil aviation standards, it can be called for questioning by the unit, and the other parties like the Guyana Defence Force can be summoned as well if the unit realises that certain operational procedures were not followed.”
Edghill when contacted for comment on the modalities of these investigations, said that “There is standard procedure, every time there is an aircraft accident or incident, there is a probe by the accident investigation unit [aircraft accident investigation unit].
“I have appointed the investigators of the unit and that work has begun”, Edghill noted.
The GCCA is responsible for conducting initial inspection, registration, and airworthiness certification, as well as continued surveillance and annual re-inspection and recertification, for all Guyanese registered aircraft.
The body is also tasked with maintaining the Guyana Civil Aircraft Register and database of aircraft accidents and incidents.
Questions will asked about why a new Bell 412 Army with the GDF’s most experienced pilot at the helm crashed.
The two survivors of Wednesday’s catastrophic crash, Lieutenant Andio Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson, were extracted from the site amid weather challenges and transported to the Blake Slater Aerodrome, Ekereku Top, Cuyuni River.
They were medically examined and then flown to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.
At around 5:18 pm yesterday, the Skyvan landed at Ogle with the bodies of the five servicemen on board. There was an outpouring of emotion from family members as they witnessed their loved ones being taken out the aircraft in coffins draped with the national flag of Guyana – the Golden Arrowhead. A visibly emotional Commander-in-Chief, President Irfaan Ali was also at the airport to witness the event.
A grief-stricken nation will now prepare to say its final goodbyes to its fallen heroes: Brigadier (retired) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant, Colonel Sean Welcome, and Staff Sargeant Jason Khan.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan and Advisor to the President on National Security, Captain Gerald Gouveia, Major General (retired) Joseph Singh, and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill were among those present at the airport.
The helicopter departed Base Camp Ayanganna for Arau at 09:23 hours on Wednesday with three crew members and four passengers.
Khan said that the team’s mission at the time was to check on the troops close to the borders, when they stopped at Olive Creek to refuel.
Shortly after takeoff, Khan said that they lost all signals from the chopper which later emitted an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal at 11.20 hours, from coordinates approximately 30 miles east of Arau on the western border.
“Whenever an ELT Signal is emitted in aircraft; it signals an issue. An ELT signal is based on a crash landing or hard impact or it can be triggered manually,” he explained at a press conference on Wednesday.
Upon receipt of this signal, the Chief of Staff said that the GDF tried to contact the aircraft, but no communication was obtained with no one seeing the aircraft going down.
As such, the Force immediately activated their search and rescue party comprising GDF ranks, flown in by its Skyvan aircraft and assisted by a private company.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Works said that on December 6, 2023, at 11:20LST, a Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) message was received by Air Traffic Services at Timehri Control Tower indicating an initial alert of a distress signal by the helicopter.
In keeping with established procedures, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority activated the National Rescue Coordination Centre (NRCC) at 1145LST, to coordinate the search and rescue mission to locate the aircraft.
Immediate response coordination with the primary responders for such a mission included the GDF, private aircraft owners and operators, and the Guyana Police Force. Four aircraft, including a specially equipped search and rescue helicopter, were deployed to the base of operation, with GDF Special Forces. However, the search was suspended due to adverse weather conditions.
The NRCC re-commenced its operations at 0500LST, on December 7, 2023. Five aircraft, including the GDF Skyvan and Bell 412, were deployed to the base of operation at Blake Slater aerodrome between 0700-1000hrs with twenty-seven persons, including the On Scene Coordinator from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.
At 1040hrs, the GDF Bell helicopter located the crash site and signs of life were observed. However, the insertion of the GDF Special Forces was impaired due to weather. A team led by Col. Howell was successfully inserted 800m from the crash site.
Subsequently, the On Scene Coordinator reported that there were two survivors of the seven persons on board the aircraft.
Transversing
Lieutenant Patrick Stephens and Captain Andy Budhan, who were close friends of Brigadier Beaton said that the senior military officer was a man of integrity who motivated his colleagues with the fervent passion to be hands-on and thorough in the execution of their responsibilities.
Stephens in a telephone interview with this newspaper said that Beaton’s military career began in 1981-82 when he (Stephens) founder of the Army Cadet Company, visited the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School to engage students on the importance of living a “purposeful” life.
The retired lieutenant said Beaton was the first person who showed interest in joining the military after the engagement forum.
“At just 15 he said I am willing to serve my country, which sparked me and from that day I realized that he would do well once guided and I am privileged to have been one of those persons who shaped his army career.”
“Gary was very disciplined and industrious as he served as Chairman of the Sea Defence Board for years and provided critical technical and supervisory support to many Hinterlands Airstrip Development Programmes here in Guyana,” Stevens added.
“He was just a humble guy from South Ruimveldt with a great future in store. I am happy that he left an indelible mark on our society which must never be taken lightly.”
Captain Budhan said that his friendship with Beaton began during childhood at the South Ruimveldt Gardens Primary School.
Budhan described Beaton as “unassuming and reserved” but noted that his personality was not to be taken for granted as he was zealous and proactive.
“He wasn’t a person who spoke much, but when he did it was serious business, when he gave orders, it was impactful.”
The retired captain who was in the aviation sector for many years said that Beaton never evaded challenges.
“He possessed great ethics and qualities. He never backed down on challenges [and] he always tried to get things done and in a proficient way.”
Budhan noted that although he was in the Air Corps and Beaton was in the infantry, they learnt quite a lot from each other.
His last moments with Beaton were two weeks before his death at a reception.
“A few weeks ago, he invited me to a reception at his home right on the East Bank of Demerara and we laughed and reminisced on the olden days. He even asked me to support his business because apart from being an engineer, Gary was involved in business and I would support him along the way which friends are supposed to do. Now he is gone but his memories will forever live on.
“I am deeply shocked at his death but I know he made significant strides in the military which was exemplary and that I am grateful for. I am privileged to be his friend and I know others are as well.”
Region Four Chairman, Daniel Seeram, who was a captain in the GDF, said that he knew all five servicemen, especially Beaton.
“The officers that perished were my brothers, they were the best of the best in their fields of service.
“Apart from their patriotism and professionalism, they were also men of integrity and the highest human calibre.”
The regional chairman declared that he was proud of their sacrifices which will not go unnoticed.
“My sincerest condolences to their families and the Guyana Defence Force. Guyana is now left with an unfortunate void at a time when we need all of our best Guyanese forward. May their souls rest in peace and rise in glory. I salute them and I thank them for their service.”
Meanwhile, female veteran aviator, Annette Arjoon-Martins, told Stabroek News that it was a privilege knowing Beaton who was very professional and passion-driven.
“I knew him personally because he also served at the Coast Guard Department at GDF and we would have engagements on marine conservation and maritime safety because I am the founder of the Marine Conservation Society, and he at times offered technical support.”
Arjoon-Martins noted that like Beaton, the other ranks whom she knew were very true Guyanese patriots and their legacies must be emulated.
She is adamant that an independent probe be conducted into the root cause of the helicopter crash and stressed that relevant authorities who are conducting these investigations must be allowed to do so without micro-management.
“I know that the Civil Aviation Authority is capable and competent along with the other relevant bodies and they must be allowed to do their work.”
The Guyanese aviator also urged Guyanese and the media to treat the matter surrounding the death of the five military men with sensitivity as she expressed disgust at persons who posted information which was contrary to the truth.
