GUYANA: Ground search for missing plane intensifies

Last Updated on Friday, 2 January 2015, 23:52 by GxMedia

The search and rescue team looking for small plane that went missing almost one week ago has intensified its ground search in rough terrain and thick jungle, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said in a statement.

“Based on information received, the RCC identified further areas of interest in the Kurungiku Mountain, Black Water area and North Fork area. A party is currently on the ground conducting a search of the Black Water area after completing a similar exercise in the North Fork area. 

In addition, a more intense ground search effort will commence tomorrow (Saturday). Other specialist teams have been mobilized and will be transported to Mahdia and other areas of interest. The teams are drawn from personnel of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Air Services Ltd,” the regulatory  agency added.

Minister of Transport, Robeson Benn and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s Director General, Mr. Zulficar Mohamed, and members of the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) travelled to the RCC’s sub-center in Mahdia yesterday, January 1, 2015 to assist in the Search and Rescue mission for the ASL’s aircraft which went missing on December 28, 2014.

The aerial Search and Rescue operations based at Mahdia continued today; however, due to inclement weather and overcast conditions, the operations started late. 

Further, more than 150 square miles were covered in the Search and Rescue effort; and in excess of 60 hours of flight time were logged in the Search and Rescue mission for ASL’s Britten Norman Islander aircraft, bearing registration 8R-GE which went missing on Sunday 28^th, December, 2014.