—GDF special forces reach wreckage after days of challenging rescue efforts

The body of the pilot of the crashed Air Services Limited (ASL) aircraft has been recovered, bringing a tragic end to the high-risk rescue operation in the Mazaruni.

In a statement on Monday, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed that members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces successfully reached the crash site of the Cessna 208 aircraft, bearing registration number 8R-YAC.

“The team recovered the body of the pilot and are currently making preparations for extraction from the site,” the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) stated.

The aircraft had gone down last Friday after departing Mahdia en route to Imbaimadai, with Captain Ryder Castello, a Nicaraguan national, as the sole occupant.

The recovery marks a critical development in what had been a complex, multi-agency operation, with teams navigating steep escarpments, dense vegetation, and hazardous weather conditions to access the wreckage.

Authorities, including the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, the GCAA and the GDF have extended condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased pilot.

“The Ministry… the GCAA, and the GDF join the wider aviation community in extending their heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones of the pilot,” the statement added.

With recovery efforts now underway, focus is expected to shift to the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials have indicated that the probe remains active, with further updates to be provided as more information becomes available.