Pilot aborts takeoff due to poor state of Eteringbang airstrip

The pilot of a Roraima Airways aircraft on Wednesday aborted a takeoff from the airstrip at Eteringbang, in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, due to a storm and the poor condition of the strip.

Captain Gerry Gouveia, in a Facebook post, said the decision to abort the takeoff was made by the pilot after the wheels of the 10-seater Islander aircraft made contact with pooled water on the strip, just before rotation speed.

These photos show the Eteringbang airstrip before and after the storm. (Photos from Captain Gerry Gouveia’s Facebook page)
These photos show the Eteringbang airstrip before and after the storm. (Photos from Captain Gerry Gouveia’s Facebook page)

Gouveia further stated that the aircraft came to a halt approximately 30 feet off the end of the airstrip after failing to stop in time because of the water.

He noted that none of the five passengers nor the pilot was hurt as a result of the sudden halt.

However, the aircraft suffered minor damage to the nose and landing gear.

The flight was destined for the Eugene F Correia Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

The airstrip, Gouveia noted, is slated for repair and upgrade, given its deplorable state.

A team from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority is currently investigating the matter.