–Auditor General’s 2021 report reveals

IN 2018, the APNU+AFC spent US$1.1 million (GUY $246.8 million) on a Skyvan, 8R-GWJ, that flew for less than one month, while another $17.4 million was spent in 2019 on overhauling the engine of an islander that never flew.

According to information from the Auditor General’s 2021 report, both aircraft have since been rendered unserviceable.

The two unserviceable aircraft were bought for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as part of a $484 million supplementary provision that was sought in the National Assembly by the APNU+AFC government in 2018.

Joseph Harmon, who was Minister of State at the time when the aircraft was purchased, had vouched for the “airworthiness” of the planes, notwithstanding concerns about the airliners.

Harmon had said that the aircraft, which were part of a set of four, were “tried and tested” and in suitable condition for use by the GDF.

Although the aircraft were reconditioned, he maintained that they are in “good condition.” The islander was manufactured in 1976, while the Skyvan was manufactured in 1977. Both models were no longer being manufactured at the time of purchase.

Procurement of the aircraft was to ensure the safe transport of patients and other resources and to be used for conducting search-and-rescue exercises in the hinterland.
Nonetheless, the Skyvan in question arrived in Guyana on the 28 June, 2019, and last flew on 21 July, 2019, and has been awaiting necessary overseas maintenance ever since.

The Skyvan, a high-wing, twin-engine carrier, was dubbed an ideal craft for Guyana given its STOL– Short Takeoff and Landing abilities –which will suit the country’s short interior airstrips. The Short SC7 Skyvan is a British 19-seat twin-turboprop aircraft.

However, the Skyvan’s engines are required, by the manufacturer, to be sent to an approved facility, after completion of specified flight hours, for specific maintenance actions: 1,800 hours – hot-section inspection and 5,400 hours — overhaul.

“This involved removing the left engine and shipping it to an overhaul/repair facility in the USA for inspection since this capability is not available locally,” the GDF explained in its response to the Audit Office.

Apparently, when the aircraft was bought by the GDF its left engine had 45 hours until a Hot Section Inspection was due. So, when those hours were expended, the aircraft was hangared for the engine to be sent for Hot Section Inspection, while a “1,200 inspection” commenced on the aircraft.

However, according to the report, during the inspection, components were identified as being worn and in need of replacement, while parts from the Skyvan, were used to maintain another Skyvan bearing registration number 8R- GBW and 8R-GGK, which had to be overhauled due to their flight-hour requirements.

“According to the head of the budget agency at its delivery to GDF, Skyvan 8R-GWJ’s left engine had 45 hours remaining before it was due to be sent for Hot Section Inspection. This requirement was known to the GDF prior to the aircraft’s delivery. These hours were flown and the aircraft was then hangered [sic] for the engine to be removed and to have a 1,200 maintenance inspection completed,” the previous 2020 AG Report had noted.

In its 2020 report, the Audit Office had recommended that the administration of the Defence Force investigate the circumstances leading to the Skyvan with registration number 8R-GWJ being used for only 45 hours, and subsequently deemed unserviceable, and submit the results for audit
Meanwhile, the islander, which had arrived in Guyana in August 2018, was reportedly deemed best suited for Guyana’s rough, mountainous terrain, high altitudes and short hinterland airstrips.

According to reports, there were commitments that the refurbished planes could provide more than 30 years of service to the Air Corps. However, the aircraft did not provide one month of service.

“The sum of $17.4 million was expended in July 2019 on the overhauling of the engine for an islander bearing registration number 8R-GKR. It should be noted that this aircraft has not flown since its arrival to Guyana in August 2018. However, the aircraft was deemed unserviceable,” the AG 2020 Report noted.

The GDF in a response to the Audit Office, said the aircraft has been awaiting the completion of two structural repairs and the procurement of spares needed to return the aircraft to service.

“The need to effect the repairs was identified during the 1,000-hour maintenance inspection. The inspection also identified components which were worn and have to be replaced,” the defence force said.

However, in 2019, components of this aircraft were also gutted to replace components on another islander 8R-GMN in order to keep that aircraft serviceable.