Body of ASL pilot extracted from crash site

Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, 19:10 by Writer

The body of Nicaraguan pilot, Rider Alberto Castillo, was removed from the crash site by Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces from the rugged and thickly forested terrain and flown to Georgetown late on Tuesday afternoon.

The body was transported to Imbaimadai from where it was flown to Eugene F. Correia “Ogle” Airport, East Coast Demerara, according to well-placed sources.

Castillo’s badly decomposed body was discovered at the site where the Air Services Limited’s (ASL) single-engine Cessna plane, bearing registration marking 8R-YAC, went down last Friday morning.

After communication contact was lost, an aerial search spotted the mangled metal of the plane in mushroom-looking jungle.

The GCAA said the aircraft was located on a “dangerous sloping incline of the ridge.”

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Monday said Castillo’s body was “regrettably in an advanced stage of decomposition” and indications were that he died instantly.

“Based on the condition and position of the remains at the time of discovery, all indications are that death occurred instantly at the time of the accident,” the regulatory agency said in a statement.

The GCAA said the team also recovered several items from the scene, including documents and personal effects, which would assist in the ongoing investigation.

“We take this opportunity to commend the men and women of the Guyana Defence Force and all supporting agencies, who continue to carry out this operation with courage, professionalism, and discipline under extremely challenging conditions,” the GCAA said.

ASL described Castillo, a former Nicaraguan military pilot, as a “great employee and friend” and “dedicated and valued member of our flight crew.”

The domestic carrier said the pilot served ASL for eight remarkable years with unwavering dedication and humility. “He was known for his calm nature and his remarkable ability to turn every challenge into something positive. His professionalism, strength, and quiet leadership earned him the respect of everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.”

“Among his colleagues, he was regarded as a genuine, hardworking individual and one of our finest pilots, always delivering with excellence and reliability. He will be profoundly missed by all of us,” the ASL said in a statement.