Rescue team yet to meet crash site of ASL aircraft; GCAA deploys investigators

SEE BELOW PRESS RELEASE:

GCAA DEPLOYS INVESTIGATORS FOLLOWING ASL CESSNA 206 AIRCRAFT CRASH NEAR IMBAIMADAI; RESCUE OPERATIONS ONGOING

Georgetown. April 11, 2026.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hereby confirms that the Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation has identified an accident investigator in charge, who, together with a team of trained investigators has been dispatched to the crash site of the Air Services limited (ASL) Cessna 206 aircraft, located in the vicinity of Imbaimadai.

The Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC) remains fully operational and is providing critical logistical and operational support to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and all other agencies engaged in the response operation. The crashed aircraft is situated on a steep escarpment, presenting significant challenges to ground and air rescue teams. Access and recovery efforts are being substantially impeded by dense tropical vegetation and the steep terrain in the affected area.

The Director General of the GCAA, Lt. Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field, the Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan along with senior members of the GDF hierarchy, have been fully briefed and are receiving continuous updates on developments on the ground. All relevant authorities remain engaged and are actively overseeing the coordinated response.

GDF special forces personnel are working diligently and with great urgency to identify and establish a viable access route to the crash site. The GCAA assures the public and all stakeholders that this matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness and priority.

Further updates will be issued as additional information becomes available.

END