The flight recorder (black box) retrieved from the helicopter that crashed earlier this month killing five high-ranking army officials, has been taken abroad for analysis by an investigator. This was confirmed today by Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, under whose purview the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) falls.
Minister Edghill said he was empowered by the Civil Aviation Act of 2018 to appoint an incident investigator. The identity of that individual was not revealed by the Minister.
“Last week, I approved for that investigator to travel to the United States to deliver to the National Transportation and Safety Board, the black box, so that the readings of that black box would be able to inform the investigation in relation to what happened,” Minister Edghill said.
Guyana Standard understands that when the report is completed, it will be handed over to Edghill for further action.
The incident occurred on December 6 as the Bell helicopter was being flown to Arau in Region Seven.
The crash claimed the lives of retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lt. Colonel Sean Welcome, Lt. Colonel Michael Charles (pilot) and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan. Khan was posthumously promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2.
The two survivors are co-pilot Andio Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Johnson, who were rescued on December 7.
