The missing N911HB B0105 series Surinamese helicopter was reportedly stuck on a sand bank in the Cuyuni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) up to press time last evening. On board are four persons, including the Surinamese pilot, Guyana Defence Force Air Corps officer Anson Weeks, and two Australians.
The aircraft was reported missing on Thursday night at about 19:00 hrs, when contact with the helicopter was severed as a result of a failed satellite phone.
The aircraft departed 14 Miles Issano at 17:20 hrs on Thursday for Ogle Aerodrome, East Coast Demerara, but encountered difficulties due to bad weather and diverted north to Quartz Stone, Cuyuni.
The Surinamese pilot, Couter R (only name given) was forced to land on a sand bank in the Cuyuni River at about 17: 50 hrs on Thursday.
After contact was lost between the aircraft and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport control tower about 19:00 hrs, the aircraft was deemed missing by local authorities.
The aircraft arrived in Guyana from Suriname on Thursday and was on a trip to a mining camp at 14 Miles Issano where they were taking investors Osolovan Dominique and Kevin Thompson, both Australians, to the area to access a mining concession there.
The local mining company that is overseeing the operations here locally is located in Prashad Nagar, under the name Pharsalus Gold.
After the aircraft was considered missing by the local authorities, four aircraft were dispatched to the Cuyuni area to listen out for the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) from the Surinamese helicopter which would have been activated on impact had the aircraft crashed. The transmitter could also be manually activated if the aircraft is in distress. It sends a signal to a satellite which can be heard on any aircraft which is in the vicinity.
However, no signal was picked up on Thursday night during the initial search coordinated by the Rescue Coordinating Centre, which was established at CIJA and headed by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn.
According to information received, the young Surinamese pilot is inexperienced and is on his first flight to Guyana.
Unconfirmed reports last night said that the GDF helicopter is expected to fly in the area this morning to guide the aircraft out.
GDF helicopter to guide missing aircraft in from Cuyuni sand bank this morning
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