Alleges Government Withholding Due to Potential Negative Findings.
The Alliance For Change (AFC) has sharply criticized the ongoing delays in the release of the official report into the 2023 helicopter crash. Member of Parliament David Patterson asserted that the government’s failure to publish the findings constitutes a breach of Guyanese law and suggested that the delay indicates an attempt to conceal information that could reflect negatively on the administration.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Patterson, who tabled the Civil Aviation Bill during the 2015-2020 government term, highlighted the legal framework governing air accident investigations in Guyana. He explained that the legislation he introduced led to the establishment of an independent air investigation unit, in line with recommendations from international aviation bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to Patterson, this independent unit is responsible for investigating all air accidents, including the 2023 helicopter crash. He stressed that, by law, once the investigation is complete and stakeholders have provided their comments, the final report must be made public and published on the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) website. The purpose of this mandatory public disclosure, Patterson added, is to enable the aviation industry and the public to learn from accidents, a convention to which Guyana is a signatory.
Patterson unequivocally stated that the government’s and the responsible minister’s failure to publish the report constitutes a “breach of the law and the regulations of Guyana.” He dismissed any excuses for the delay, asserting that they “do not hold water.”
The AFC MP implied that the ongoing delay is a deliberate tactic to withhold information, suggesting that “obviously there are things in there that they don’t want revealed,” specifically pointing to potential findings related to a “lack of maintenance.” Patterson argued that if the helicopter was not properly maintained, the responsibility would “fall squarely on the government of Guyana.” He further indicated that “other contributing factors” might also lead directly to the government’s stewardship, explaining why the report has not been made public.
Patterson drew a parallel to other delayed government reports, noting that the census report, which was promised by the end of last year, is still unavailable as the country approaches elections. This, he suggested, indicates a pattern of non-disclosure by the current administration.
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