Extreme conditions hinder rescue mission for downed ASL pilot – Gouveia

– says GDF deploys advanced helicopters, trained personnel for SAR operation

In light of criticisms about the lack of advanced helicopters or trained personnel in the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) mission for the pilot of the downed Air Services Limited (ASL) aircraft, National Security Advisor, Captain Gerald Gouveia stated that the mission is not executed by capability alone, but by physics, safety limits, and environmental conditions. “Our soldiers are operating in some of the most hostile and unforgiving terrain in Guyana’s steep mountains, dense forests, and unstable weather systems-all in a determined effort to save a life. A search and rescue mission in this type of terrain is not simply a function of equipment; it is a function of conditions, safety margins, and disciplined execution,” he added.
The mission is being executed with the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) sophisticated Bell 429 and Bell 412, high-performance rotorcraft in their class.
In a post on his social media platform, Gouveia stated that these aircraft are widely used across the world in emergency medical services, offshore operations, law enforcement, and complex search and rescue missions.
“They are equipped with advanced avionics, strong power-to-weight ratios, and exceptional maneuverability, making them fully capable within their certified operating envelopes. More importantly, these aircraft are flown by highly trained and experienced pilots-many of whom are seasoned jungle operators. They have received direct training from Bell Helicopter and undergo recurrent evaluation and certification every six months at leading aviation training institutions in the United States (US),” Gouveia explained.
The SAR operation for Pilot Ryder Castillo is being conducted on the face of a steep mountain range, 4,200 feet above sea level. This means the rescue team must contend with a sharp incline, heavy forests, and limited to no safe landing zones. He pointed out that any attempt to position a helicopter directly above the crash site could worsen the situation. “Guyana’s prevailing winds come from the east-northeast. This means that any helicopter approaching the eastern face of the mountain is likely to encounter strong tailwind conditions relative to the slope. For rotary-wing aircraft, this significantly reduces control margins, especially during hover or low-speed maneuvering,” he explained. “Additionally, the rotor downwash generated during a hover could have serious consequences. The force of the downdraft in such a confined and unstable environment could cause debris-or even the aircraft wreckage itself-to shift or move violently, potentially endangering the life of any survivor on the ground.” In its last update, the GDF confirmed that the wreckage of the aircraft had been spotted. A ground team from the GDF’s 31 Special Forces Squadron was successfully inserted into the remote area and was working to access the crash site despite rugged terrain and the presence of a steep escarpment. In addition, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, when contacted on Sunday, related that the situation remains unchanged.
“The members of the special forces have not reached the crash site…the situation remains grim with rough terrain to cover, but the team is trying their utmost to reach the crash site. As stated previously, there are a number of factors that have to be taken into consideration-the mountainous terrains and the light… Once it reaches 17:45h-18:00h, the area would be completely dark, which will ultimately result in the team stopping wherever they are until the sun rises again…”
He is nevertheless hopeful that it will not be long before the team reaches the site. “At this time, we can’t say the fate of the pilot… That can only be confirmed when the team reaches the site… But they are undergoing a tremendous mission with tremendous challenges,” Col. Field explained. The missing ASL Cessna Caravan, 8R-YAC, went down on Friday after taking off from Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). It was reported that the single-engine Cessna aircraft was being operated by a Nicaraguan national, Captain Castillo, who has approximately 20 years of flying experience. He was the sole occupant on board and had been employed with ASL for about a decade. According to reports, the aircraft departed Mahdia at approximately 08:10h on a cargo shuttle flight bound for Imbaimadai, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), with an expected arrival time of 08:40h. However, it failed to report its arrival, prompting a flight progress check at 08:44h. At the time, weather conditions in the area were reportedly poor, with heavy rainfall and reduced visibility. The GCAA swiftly responded to the incident, initiating protocols for a missing aircraft involving a Cessna 208 operating along the Mahdia-Imbaimadai route. This tragic accident comes on the heels of the GCAA suspending ASL from operating flights to Matthews Ridge in Region One-following an incident on the runway there. The suspension only lasted a few days, after which the airline was allowed to resume its operations while the pilot involved in the incident was suspended for a month. This incident also comes on the heels of the December 2023 GDF Bell 412 helicopter crash that killed five out of the seven soldiers onboard. That crash happened about 30 miles east of Arau near the Venezuelan border. Those dead are Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan.
The two survivors are Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford.