GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be spearheading the investigation into the deadly helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five service members earlier this week.
Speaking during a press conference on Saturday, the GDF’s Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan said an investigation phase is about to begin, and that is outside of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) remit.
“We will now have the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Guyana Police Force conducting their investigation.
“The process has already started. We have handed over several items.”
Those who died are Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Sergeant Jason Khan.
The two survivors are Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford.
Although he was repeatedly pressed for information on the incident, the GDF Head said official investigations must be done. He also noted that the GDF itself was being investigated. Therefore, he needed to be positioned to disclose more details.
He, however, noted that GDF will also conduct its internal review via a Board of Inquiry.
“Meanwhile, Brigadier Khan could not say when the crashed helicopter will be extracted, noting that a decision will be made soon.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Ramjag also noted that the 8R-AYA Bell 412 helicopter was severely burnt, primarily in the fuselage, with “few remaining pieces.”
With over 40 years of experience, Lieutenant Colonel Charles was flying the aircraft over mountains and dense jungles in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
He was flying the team under the command of Colonel Shahoud, Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion, on a mission to visit troops on the western border with Venezuela.
The GDF noted that the crew departed Olive Creek for Arau, and Pilot Charles deviated from the standard flight path to the right or north.
On Thursday, the rescue team located the crash site about nine miles southeast of “Blake Slater’s” airstrip, Ekereku Top, Cuyuni River. Then, it confirmed that five crew members perished in the accident.
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