Aviation authorities in Guyana have initiated a formal investigation following a ground collision incident involving two aircraft belonging to Trans Guyana Airways at Port Kaituma Airstrip. The incident occurred when a departing aircraft’s wing made contact with another plane parked on the tarmac, resulting in visible damage to at least one wing.
Retired Lt. Col. Egbert Field, Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), confirmed the regulatory body’s active investigation into the matter. Preliminary assessments suggest that operational consequences may follow for one or both pilots involved, pending the investigation’s findings.
Aviation industry sources revealed to Demerara Waves Online News that the underlying issue extends beyond pilot operation to fundamental infrastructure limitations. The Port Kaituma Airstrip’s restricted parking capacity presents significant challenges when accommodating multiple aircraft simultaneously, creating potentially hazardous conditions.
Industry insiders have identified the airstrip’s constrained dimensions as a critical safety concern, particularly when three aircraft attempt to utilize the facility concurrently. This incident has prompted renewed calls for infrastructure expansion at the regional aerodrome to address capacity constraints and enhance operational safety measures.
The investigation will likely examine multiple factors including pilot procedures, ground operations protocols, and the adequacy of current infrastructure to handle domestic flight operations safely. The GCAA’s findings are expected to influence both immediate operational adjustments and long-term infrastructure planning for regional airstrips across Guyana.