Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill told Stabroek News yesterday that investigations are continuing into the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five army personnel on December 6, 2023.
“The investigators held a meeting a few days ago with the (US) NTSB (National Transportation and Safety Board) and Bell (the maker of the helicopter). Once the official record of that meeting is available, it will be incorporated into the report.”
The inquiry involves representatives from the NTSB and local investigators, including Airworthiness Inspector Krishnanand Ramlachana, who is overseeing the process.
The crash claimed the lives of five army men: Brigadier (retired) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan. Two men, Lieutenant Andio Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson, were rescued from the site.
Details surrounding the accident have emerged gradually since the crash in December 2023. According to previous statements from the Ministry of Public Works, an alert was triggered when a Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) message was received at the Timehri Control Tower around 11:20 am on the day of the crash.
In response to the distress signal, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) activated the National Rescue Coordination Centre (NRCC) at 11:45 am, mobilizing resources to coordinate the search operation. Initial efforts were hampered by adverse weather conditions, leading to a temporary suspension of the search.
On December 7, at 5:00 AM, search operations resumed with the deployment of five aircraft, including the GDF Skyvan and Bell 412, alongside 27 personnel, including the On Scene Coordinator from the GCAA. At approximately 10:40 AM, the GDF Bell helicopter located the crash site, and while signs of life were detected, inclement weather continued to impede rescue efforts. A Special Forces team led by Colonel Howell was eventually able to insert themselves 800 meters from the crash site.
