Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, on Thursday disclosed that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has completed its internal review regarding the December 6, 2023 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five military men. At a press briefing held at Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, Brigadier Khan said the army is awaiting the official crash report before releasing its findings.
First, he explained the GDF’s limited role in the official probe. Khan made it clear, “The helicopter investigation we were a stakeholder of the investigation by the nature of Guyana’s law the Ministry of Public Works has that mandate to direct and investigate that incident. We were just a stakeholder.”
He confirmed that a GDF Board of Inquiry had been established following the crash and noted that its recommendations have already been implemented. “All the recommendations all the findings of our internal investigation have been acted upon,” Khan said. However, he explained that the GDF’s findings cannot be completed without considering the official investigation, which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works, through the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
“We did what we had to do, but there is a part in which we have to have the official report to take into consideration to complete our [report],” he said.
Notably, when asked about the GDF findings, the Chief of Defence Staff said, “I will make that available when the official report is issued.”
On December 6, 2023 a Bell helicopter being flown to Arau in Region Seven reportedly crashed, claiming 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, 2023.
It was reported that the flight recorder (black box) was retrieved from the helicopter that crashed and was taken abroad for analysis by an investigator.
