AFTER 21 days of multiple sorties by helicopters and fixed winged aircraft, complemented by seven ground search parties totalling forty seven persons, all to no avail, the search for the missing Islander aircraft was yesterday formally called off.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn and officials of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) extended their sympathy to the immediate family, relatives and friends of the missing pilot Captain Nicky Persaud, and Cargo Loader David Bisnauth in their time of distress.
8R-GHE disappeared on a routine shuttle operation from Mahdia to Karisparu on 28th December, 2014.
On board were Captain Nicky Persaud, 27, and cargo loader David Bisnauth, 51.
The location of their suspected crash site in the densely forested Siparuni/Potaro area and their remains have not been found and probably never will be.
A media release from the GCAA disclosed that over the past three weeks the search for the missing aircraft 8R-GHE and its occupants had engaged a varied and substantial number of resources, including, personnel, aircraft and specialised equipment among others.
The Rescue Coordination Centre was established and supported by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, Major Mike Charles, Captain G. Gouveia, along with several agencies, including the GDF, Guyana Police Force, GGMC, CDC, Ministry of Health, Guyana Forestry Commission, Air Services Ltd, CJIAC, Civil Aviation Department – Suriname, CGX and the GCAA.
Over 230 hours were flown by the helicopters and fixed winged aircraft over the Blackwater Creek basin, North Fork, Konawaruk River, Ebini, Eagle, Mowasi, Glendor mountains, Kurungiku mountain range, including Toucan Face, Twin Towers and Toucan Valley.
The helicopters conducted multiple sorties over the Blackwater Creek and North Fork areas, including locations where damaged trees and crows were observed.
Ground searches complemented the aerial searches after day three and intensified thereafter with seven ground search parties totalling forty seven persons from the Guyana Forestry Commission, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, villagers from Mahdia and Chenapau, twenty Special Forces Officers, family members of Captain Persaud and volunteers.
Approximately twenty insertions and extractions of ground search parties were done at nine landing areas to trek along the treacherous and densely forested terrain. Areas where potential images captured by the Canadian Twin Otter with capability of picking up large metallic objects were also combed.
Later in the search, several attempts to pursue an additional lead from a camp owner were made by the Rescue Coordination Centre and the aircraft company; however, after over one week, the person failed to take officers to the location from which he said the aircraft was seen.
Using this information, the GDF Special Forces Officers combed the mountainous area.
Over the last weekend, another team including, Captain Gouveia, continued the search efforts; however, once again there was no sighting of the aircraft.
But all leads, the GCAA said, have been exhausted without success.
As a result, the Minister of Public Works, in collaboration with the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), took a decision yesterday to bring the search to an end.