Pilot’s decomposing body found in wreckage – GCAA – Crashed ASL aircraft

One day after search teams intensified efforts, the body of Captain Ryder Castillo has been located at the crash site of the Air Services Limited (ASL) Cessna 208 aircraft, registration 8R-YAC, according to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The GCAA confirmed on Monday evening that members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces reached the crash site at about 10:00h on Monday under challenging jungle conditions. The operation was led by Captain Kaya Dover of the GDF. In a statement, the GCAA said the pilot’s body was found within the wreckage in an advanced stage of decomposition. Based on the condition and position of the remains, officials indicated that death likely occurred instantly at the time of the crash. The aircraft is located on a steep, forested ridge with dense canopy, no landing zone, and unstable terrain. These conditions have significantly restricted direct helicopter access and made recovery operations complex and dangerous. Authorities emphasised that no helicopter can safely operate directly at the location without unacceptable risk. As a result, the recovery is being conducted using established ground-based methods and controlled procedures. A carefully planned operation is expected to commence at first light, with the aim of extracting and transporting the remains to Imbaimadai, subject to prevailing conditions.

Documents and personal effects belonging to the pilot have also been recovered to aid the investigation. Sources indicated that the remains will likely be placed in a body bag and extracted by helicopter from a safer location. It was noted that removal by hand is nearly impossible due to the terrain, and in past similar situations, bodies were sometimes buried at crash sites. The source added that the Special Forces are operating on a steep rock face, with trees preventing the wreckage from sliding further down the mountain. Captain Castillo, a Nicaraguan national with approximately 20 years of flying experience, was the sole occupant of the aircraft. He had been employed with ASL for eight years.
The aircraft departed Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), at approximately 08:10h on Friday on a cargo shuttle flight bound for Imbaimadai, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), with an expected arrival time of 08:40h. 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 subsequently activated protocols for a missing aircraft along the Mahdia-Imbaimadai route. Amid criticism over the resources used in the search and rescue operation, National Security Advisor Captain Gerald Gouveia had stated that such missions are not determined solely by equipment. He explained that terrain, safety constraints and environmental conditions play a critical role. He added that troops have been operating in steep mountainous terrain, dense forests and unpredictable weather, using the GDF’s Bell 429 and Bell 412 helicopters. The Aviation Operators’ Association of Guyana (AOAG) also expressed concern over the incident, noting that a full-scale search and rescue operation was launched and that private aircraft operators supported the national response. Meanwhile, on Monday ASL said that it mourns the loss of a “great employee and friend, Captain Rider Alberto Castillo, a dedicated and valued member of our flight crew.”
“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,” ASL said in a statement.
The GCAA extended condolences to the pilot’s family, as the aviation community continues to monitor recovery efforts.