It has been four months since the tragic helicopter crash which claimed the lives of five army men and Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said that the investigation is still ongoing.
He told the Sunday Stabroek that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent US government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation still has the black box in its possession.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at a press briefing in February had said that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority would hold a “read out” of the black box from the crashed Bell 412 Army helicopter.
When asked, Edghill said he was in no position to comment on when that activity would be done.
He said that Airworthiness Inspector Krishnanand Ramlachana was appointed investigator into the helicopter crash, and once the investigation was completed a report will be submitted.
The crash had claimed the lives of Brigadier (retired) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan. The two survivors were Lieutenant Andio Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Egbert Field last December had told this newspaper that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit, which is an independent branch of the GCAA, was tasked with carrying out the investigation into the crash. He said that while the unit consists of experts from the local aviation authority, it will be assisted by NTSB.
Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton had also called for an update on the investigation.
The Ministry of Public Works, last year in a press statement said that on December 6, 2023, at 11:20 LST, 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 GCAA had activated the National Rescue Coordination Centre (NRCC) at 1145 LST, 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 0500 LST 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 0700-1000 hrs with 27 personnel, including the On Scene Coordinator from the GCAA.
At 1040 hrs, 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.
