TGA blames animal incursion for Mabaruma runway overshoot

– says it warned GCAA of vulture threat days before incident
– sounds alarm over rising wildlife incursion at hinterland airstrips

One day after a Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) Cessna Caravan aircraft with registration 8R-GCC overshot the Mabaruma airstrip in Region One (Barima-Waini), the company is now stating that the Pilot was forced to take evasive actions due to an animal incursion onto the runway.

TGA stated that this incursion has caused considerable damage to the aircraft and endangered passenger safety while the aircraft was landing.
“The matter of animal and, indeed, human invasion of hinterland airports owned and operated by the Government and currently under significant expansion and development is of considerable concern to Trans Guyana Airways and, indeed, a continuing threat to all commercial and private aircraft utilizing these aerodromes, which are not under required supervision,” the company stated in a release to the media on Friday.
In fact, a document provided by the company proved that this matter was brought to the attention of the Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as recently as September 9, 2026. An initial concern was echoed by the company on June 16, 2026.
In supporting documents, Trans Guyana Airways had reported to the GCAA that their flight crews have reported a marked rise in the presence of vultures congregating on and around the runway at Mabaruma.
This has resulted in at least four cases of bird strikes involving its aircraft operating into Mabaruma and other locations. Additionally, it has recorded at least one missed approach executed by a crew after vultures were observed occupying the runway surface during the approach phase, requiring the aircraft to go around and reattempt landing.
In light of this, TGA stated that it has already alerted its flight crews to exercise heightened vigilance at Mabaruma and other affected interior strips as it continues to review its internal reporting and go-around procedures in light of these events.
In the document dispatched to the GCAA Director General, TGA requested an assessment of wildlife attractants such as waste disposal sites and other affected interior strips; the implementation or reinforcement of wildlife hazard management measures at these airstrips, including runway inspections prior to scheduled operations and active deterrence of vultures and other wildlife from the runway environment; consideration of a wildlife assessment/survey of the interior airstrip network; and guidance on reporting channels so that bird strike and wildlife hazard occurrences at these airstrips are captured, tracked, and addressed on an ongoing basis.
TGA says it remains at the disposal of the GCAA, together with all other licensed aircraft operators, in collaboration with the Aviation Operators’ Association of Guyana (AOAG), to have this matter urgently and satisfactorily addressed.
On Thursday, the aircraft overshot the Mabaruma airstrip, prompting an immediate investigation by the GCAA.
It was reported that the incident occurred at about 08:15h after the aircraft reportedly experienced a runway excursion. While the GCAA stated that there were no reported injuries, reports from the area confirmed that one person was admitted to the Mabaruma Hospital with injuries to her legs.
Following the incident, the GCAA ordered the closure of the airstrip, and a team was immediately dispatched to the location to commence their assessment and probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This incident comes less than a month after an Air Services aircraft skidded off the Baramita Airstrip in the North West District (NWD).
It was reported that the single-engine Cessna Caravan with registration number 8R-GZR overran the runway and ended up being stuck in the mud. The Pilot and passengers were evacuated from the aircraft with no recorded injuries.