Efforts to rescue the pilot of the downed Air Services Limited (ASL) plane that crashed during a Hinteland flight on Friday continued throughout much of today.
The pilot has been identified as Captain Ray de Castillo, with a multi-agency effort undertaken to bring him home.
Captain Castillo, a Nicaraguan national with decades of flying experience, had been employed with ASL for several years and was well regarded within the aviation sector.
His aircraft was reported missing during a domestic flight over Guyana’s hinterland on Friday. This prompted an immediate multi-agency response involving the GDF, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, and other emergency services.
In a Saturday morning update, the Guyana Defence Force had indicated that the wreckage had been spotted.
A ground team from the GDF Special Forces Squadron was inserted into the area to access the site.
Speaking with NCN News, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Lieutenant-Colonel Retired Egbert Field praised the GDF’s efforts.
He described the operation as a Herculean task under extremely challenging conditions.
“The GDF is really making a fantastic effort, really a fantastic effort in moving towards the site. I must say the trek through the terrain is full of hazards such as rocks and steep slopes, but it’s a Herculean effort that is being done at this time to get to the crash site,” he said.
Further details surrounding the circumstances of the crash are expected as investigations continue.