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Rescue workers sacrificed their New Year holiday to continue search efforts for missing Air Services Limited (ASL) Britten Norman Islander 8R-GHE and still organizers are no closer to finding the missing aircraft.Rescue workers plot the areas to be checked as search efforts continue.The twin engine plane went missing last Sunday, after contact was lost with 27-year-old pilot, Captain Nicky Persaud and 51-year-old cargo handler, David Bisnauth. The five-day search has not deterred rescue workers who are determined to locate the craft as far as resources will allow.Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) Director General, Mr. Zulficar Mohamed,Alex Ovechkin Jersey, and members of the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) travelled to the RCC’s sub-center in Mahdia on New Year’s Day to assist in the Search and Rescue mission for the ASL aircraft which went missing on December 28.The plane was en route to Karisparu in the Potaro-Siparuni region. It had taken off from Mahdia with construction material just after midday, when contact was lost minutes later.Thursday’s aerial Search and Rescue operations was based at Mahdia, but according to the GCAA, inclement weather and overcast conditions caused operations to start late. The aviation agency said however that based on information received, “the RCC identified further areas of interest in the Kurungiku Mountain, Black Water area and North Fork area.”They said a party is currently on the ground conducting a search of the Black Water area after completing a similar exercise in the North Fork area.The areas mentioned are in the direct flight path of the missing aircraft and aviation officials have been concentrating their efforts there. According to them, they have been receiving a lot of information about possible aircraft sightings in the named locations.The GCAA Director told Kaieteur News yesterday that additional ground searches are being organized since a lot of flyovers are being conducted, but the densely forested and mountainous terrain continue to pose a major challenge.In a public release, the agency said that, “more intense ground search effort will commence tomorrow (today). Other specialist teams have been mobilized and will be transported to Mahdia and other areas of interest.” The teams are drawn from personnel of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Air Services Ltd.“More than 150 square miles were covered in the Search and Rescue effort; and in excess of 60 hours of flight time were logged in the Search and Rescue mission for ASL’s Britten Norman Islander aircraft.”Search and rescue officials were reluctant to face the “what ifs,” and when asked, they pointed out that it is too early to consider giving up the search for the missing ASL crew. This is despite the critical 72-hour search period expiring a long time ago.Rescuers are working in locations that reach heights of more than 3,500 feet. Thick vegetation and inclement weather have also been identified as major hindrances to the rescuers. The Britten Norman Islander was carrying a spot tracker device, which gives off location monitor hits every 10 minutes. The information is transmitted via satellite.However, this tracker is challenged by many factors, including rough terrain, especially mountainous regions such as the one where rescuers are working. The aircraft was also carrying a built-in emergency locator/transmitter. Transmitter signals can be received by other aircraft until the device’s battery is depleted.Since the Islander lost communication with Air Traffic Controllers, no signal has been heard from the aircraft.The family of both the pilot and cargo handler remain anxious. Persaud’s sister-in -law had told this newspaper that the family though agitated, remained optimistic. They had been spending much time at the ASL hanger at Ogle International Airport. The newspaper was told that contact is being kept with the sister of the cargo handler, as she too remains hopeful. |
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