—Steep terrain, dense vegetation hamper access to downed aircraft
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has deployed a team of investigators to the crash site of the Air Services Limited (ASL) aircraft near Imbaimadai, as authorities intensify coordinated rescue and recovery operations in the challenging hinterland terrain.
In a statement on Saturday, the GCAA confirmed that an accident investigator has been appointed by the Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation and dispatched, along with a team of trained personnel, to the location of the downed Cessna 206 aircraft.
“The Minister… has identified an accident investigator in charge, who, together with a team of trained investigators has been dispatched to the crash site… in the vicinity of Imbaimadai,” the agency stated.
The Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC) remains fully operational, providing logistical and operational support to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and other agencies involved in the response.
However, efforts to access the wreckage continue to be severely constrained by the terrain. According to the GCAA, the aircraft is located on a steep escarpment, with dense tropical vegetation further complicating access.
“The crashed aircraft is situated on a steep escarpment… Access and recovery efforts are being substantially impeded by dense tropical vegetation and the steep terrain,” the release noted.
Top officials, including Director General of the GCAA, Lt. Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field, and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan, have been fully briefed and are receiving continuous updates as the operation progresses.
Meanwhile, GDF special forces personnel remain on the ground, working with urgency to establish a viable route to the crash site.
The GCAA emphasised that the situation is being treated with the highest level of priority, as authorities continue to coordinate a multi-agency response under difficult conditions.
Further updates are expected as teams make progress in accessing the site and advancing the investigation.
