— GDF special forces reach wreckage after days of challenging operation

THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), on Monday, confirmed that members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces have successfully reached the crash site of the Air Services Limited (ASL) Cessna 208 aircraft that went down near Imbaimadai, bringing a tragic end to days of intense search and rescue efforts.
Authorities, including the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, the GCAA, and the GDF, extended condolences to the family and loved ones of the pilot, Captain Rider Alberto Castillo, a Nicaraguan national with approximately two decades of flying experience.
According to an official update from the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), the Special Forces team recovered the body of the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft at the time of the crash. Up to press time, preparations were underway to extract the remains from the remote and treacherous location.
The aircraft, bearing registration number 8R-YAC, had been en route from Mahdia on Friday, April 10, 2026, when it failed to report its arrival, triggering a full-scale search and rescue operation.
The cargo flight departed Mahdia at 08:10h with only Castillo on board and was due to arrive at 08:40h at Imbaimadai. It failed to report arrival, prompting a flight progress check at 08:44h. Weather in the area at the time included heavy rainfall and reduced visibility.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, in a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, said she was deeply saddened by the tragedy.
“My heart bleeds for the family and friends of Captain Ryder Castillo, a Nicaraguan national who gave needed service to us here in Guyana, and whose aircraft went down in the mountains of Region Eight. May his soul rest in peace,” the minister stated.

She also commended the efforts of the GDF’s Special Forces, who navigated the dangerous terrain to reach the crash site.
“I offer my most sincere thanks to every single member of that Special Forces GDF team who dedicated themselves to reach the site of the crash. You are true patriots,” she said.
The minister further acknowledged the families of the soldiers, noting that their support played a critical role in enabling the operation.
“I thank your families too, who would have been worried, for allowing us your soldiers’ skill and talent to be able to reach this site. May God bless you all,” she added.
In a statement on Monday, ASL expressed sorrow over the loss of Castillo, describing him as a dedicated pilot and valued member of its team whose death has left a deep void within the company.
The company said, “We mourn the loss of a great employee and friend, Captain Rider Alberto Castillo,” noting that he served ASL for eight years with “unwavering dedication and humility.”
The airline highlighted that Castillo was widely respected among his colleagues for his professionalism and calm demeanour, adding that “his professionalism, strength, and quiet leadership earned him the respect of everyone who worked alongside him.”
ALWAYS DELIVERED WITH EXCELLENCE AND RELIABILITY
ASL further described him as “one of our finest pilots, always delivering with excellence and reliability,” underscoring the significant contribution he made during his years of service.
“He will be profoundly missed by all of us,” the statement added.
The company extended condolences to his family and loved ones, stating, “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones,” while affirming that it stands in solidarity with them during this difficult time.
ASL also reiterated its commitment to employee safety, noting that it “remains committed to ensuring the safety of our employees at all times.”
The rescue mission brought together multiple agencies, including aviation officials and military personnel, with GDF helicopters playing a critical role in attempts to access the crash site.
However, rescue efforts were significantly hampered by what officials described as “very real aviation constraints,” particularly affecting helicopter operations in the mountainous and heavily forested terrain.
National Security Advisor to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Captain Gerald “Gerry” Gouveia, had warned on Sunday that the crash site’s location posed serious challenges for aerial access.
Situated on the eastern face of a steep mountain ridge in the Mazaruni at approximately 4,200 feet above sea level, he said the area is characterised by dense forest and a sharply inclined landscape with little to no safe landing zones.
These conditions made it extremely difficult for helicopters to safely approach or hover above the wreckage. The veteran aviation professional explained that prevailing east-north-east winds further complicated manoeuvres, often creating strong tailwind conditions that reduce aircraft control during low-speed operations.
Even advanced helicopters, he noted, require stable airflow and adequate clearance to conduct rescue operations such as hovering or winching. In this case, the combination of steep terrain, thick vegetation, and proximity to rock faces severely limited the margin for error.
Additionally, Gouveia explained that the risk posed by rotor downwash — the powerful downward force generated by helicopter blades — created further hazards.
Given these risks, Gouveia said authorities prioritised ground insertion as the safest and most effective method of reaching the site. As a result, GDF Special Forces were deployed to navigate the difficult terrain on foot, working through dense vegetation and steep inclines to access the crash area.
Prior to Monday’s breakthrough, teams had struggled for days to reach the location, underscoring the severity of the conditions and the complexity of the operation. Despite the challenges, officials maintained that all decisions were guided by the urgent objective of locating the pilot and preserving life.
Meanwhile, the GCAA confirmed that an investigation into the crash is ongoing. Investigators have been deployed as part of efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.