U.S. pilot, Canadian surveyor killed in Guyana plane crash

By Bhisham Mohamed –

After a twin-engine aircraft crashed at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) killing an American pilot and a Canadian surveyor, aviation officials on Sunday revealed the names of the men after informing the respective embassies and the men’s immediate relatives.

The pilot was identified as the founder of ‘Angiel EnviroSafe Incorporated’, Pierre Angiel, 71, of Miami, Florida. The company is known for its aerial photography of properties, homes, shorelines, etc, in both digital and standard format. Angiel EnviroSafe Incorporated was contracted to carry out surveys of the Amaila Falls road project in Guyana’s interior.
The crew member was identified as Canadian Nick Dmitriev, 54, of Toronto, Canada. He reportedly travelled from Toronto as an expert to facilitate the equipment used for surveying purposes. The remains of the men were retrieved from the debris and are at the Lyken Funeral Home.
Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director Zulfikar Mohamed on Sunday at the crash site confirmed that the ‘Piper Aztec’ aircraft arrived in Guyana on April 2 and started operation in the Amaila Falls area the following weekend. Mohamed also said that they have recovered the two engines and other parts of the American registered aircraft, N27-FT from the debris that can aid in the investigation process, which began soon after the accident occurred.  At the time of the crash, the aircraft had six hours of fuel.
The investigation, he noted, will be conducted by the GCAA investigative team, which falls under the directorship of United Safety Regulation (USR). Mohamed added that now that the engines have been retrieved, they will not be examined by the GCAA team, but they will be sent to the manufacturers and to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board for further inspections.
Mohamed noted that based on previous reports,  it was highlighted that minutes prior to the accident, the pilot had reported to the air traffic control tower at Ogle that he had “lost an engine” and was encountering difficulties.
He explained that while experts believe the aircraft could have made it back to the Ogle International Airport despite the failure of one engine, one must realise that the aircraft was climbing at the time it reportedly encountered mechanical problems. Investigations have already been launched into the accident.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Transport Minister Robeson Benn was on site assessing the damage.
Members of the community were still at the scene while workers from various organisations performed their duties. The engines of the aircraft were lifted into a canter truck and taken away to the Ogle International Airport for storage.
Occupants of the house into which the aircraft crashed and subsequently went up in flames, were seen on the verandas of their neighbours’ houses observing the operations, as they contemplated their next move. Florence Tyndall, 69, the owner of the property, was still shaken but was hopeful that her house will be rebuilt as soon as possible.
Losses
Other affected persons, as a result of the fire, are claiming to have lost millions of dollars in household equipment and other items.
When Guyana Times International visited the house on Sunday morning, a section was severely damaged reportedly as a result of people running “in and out”. Stephan Barry, who resides a few doors away from the crash scene, recalled that he was close by and heard a loud sound before eventually saw the crash. He explained that after the plane landed, it went up in flames, but they were able to salvage some household equipment from the house belonging to Tyndall. While assisting, he noted they heard several other explosions, followed by a huge flame.