A TRANS Guyana Airways aircraft skidded off the Mabaruma Airstrip on Thursday morning after a black dog ran onto the runway, prompting the pilot to brake aggressively.

Trans Guyana Airways spokesman Kit Nascimento told this publication that the SkyWest Flight TPA aircraft landed at the Mabaruma Airstrip in Region One (Barima-Waini) around 08:15hrs with 12 passengers on board.

He said that about three-quarters of the way down the runway, a black dog ran into the aircraft’s path, forcing pilot Jessica Ramcharitar to brake suddenly.

The aircraft subsequently skidded off the runway and came to a stop sideways, he told the Guyana Chronicle.

No injuries were reported, although all 12 passengers were taken to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital for assessment. Ten were later discharged, while two remained hospitalised for observation because of high blood pressure.

Nascimento said the aircraft sustained significant damage and was rendered inoperable following the incident.

A full investigation has since been launched by the relevant authorities, including the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

According to Nascimento, the pilot’s account was corroborated by a colleague who was at the airstrip’s terminal at the time and recorded a video of the incident. He said the footage was submitted as part of the preliminary report.

Trans Guyana Airways, a Guyanese airline, commenced operations in 1956 with a single floatplane. The airline has since expanded its fleet to provide domestic and regional transportation, including services to remote areas of Guyana.