The probe into the landing of an Air Services Limited helicopter in a residential area of the city during the Christmas Season, found that the pilot and officer at the air traffic control centre were in breach of aviation regulations, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said yesterday.
According to the Minister who has responsibility for the aviation sector, the probe has recommended that the pilot and air traffic control officer face sanctions.
Included in the sanctions recommended is for the pilot and air traffic officer, who facilitated the landing, to undergo educational sessions on aviation regulations.
Edghill noted that while Guyana is poised to have a higher volume of rotating and fixed-wing aircraft operations expanding locally, there must be emphasis on safety regulations being observed at all times.
“… not because [someone] don’t want to be in traffic means you will have a helicopter landing at your front door to pick up or drop off someone in a residential area… it does not work that way,” the minister emphasised.
A source familiar with the investigation told this newspaper that it was not an emergency landing and at the time of the stop, the helicopter was transporting seasoned pilot Captain Mazahar Ally. The two-seater helicopter, was piloted by 19-year-old, Captain Azam Ally.
The chopper reportedly landed at New Haven, Georgetown.
Director General of the GCAA, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field had told this newspaper that an investigation was launched following reports of a video circulating on social media.
From the video, the registration number is not clear. First posted on social media site Tik Tok, the video showed the helicopter on a street in a residential area. It is illegal for a chopper to land in a residential area, Field said.
