GCAA investigating ASL aircraft accident

Hours after the right wing of an aircraft exploded at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has launched an investigation into another incident, this time involving an Air Services Limited (ASL) Cessna aircraft.

According to a statement from the management of ASL, the accident occurred around 17:45h on Monday at the Bath Aerodrome, West Coast Berbice.

“An Air Services Limited (ASL) Cessna 206 aircraft, registered as 8R-GMA, had an accident while taking off from Bath Aerodrome,” the company stated.

It was revealed that there were five occupants onboard the aircraft, all of whom were ASL officers. They were provided with immediate support and luckily did not sustain any injuries, ASL management reported.

Furthermore, it said, in accordance with protocol, the GCAA was informed about the accident and was conducting the requisite investigation. Notwithstanding this, ASL has launched its own internal investigation.

The management of ASL said it was awaiting the findings of the Investigative Report from the GCAA.

This accident occurred mere hours after there were reports of an explosion at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara. Officials confirmed that the right wing of a Britten Norman Trislander aircraft exploded at the Roraima Airways hangar.

Head of the local airline, Captain Gerry Gouveia, disclosed that the incident resulted in the engineer suffering burns to the hand and fractured ankles. He was taken to a private medical institution where he was admitted for treatment. His condition is listed as stable.

Gouveia described the incident as a maintenance accident. He noted that the incident took place during a routine examination of the aircraft. The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined.

The GCAA is also probing this incident.