Aircraft goes missing after departing Mahdia

An aircraft operated by Air Services has gone missing after departing Mahdia in Region Eight on Friday morning, triggering an urgent search and rescue operation.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed the incident, with Director General Captain Egbert Field stating that contact was lost with the aircraft and pilot. The aircraft was being piloted by a Nicaraguan national, Captain Ryder of ASL. It remains unclear at this time whether there were additional passengers on board.

Field noted that the aircraft disappeared while en route to Imbaimadai and that multiple agencies, including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), have been mobilised to assist in the search efforts. Further details are expected to be released as the situation develops.

All pilots in the region are urged to remain vigilant, monitor emergency frequencies, and report any unusual sightings.

Initial reports indicate that the missing aircraft is a Cessna single-engine plane bearing registration number 8R-YAC. Communication with the aircraft was last established in the Region Eight area, leading authorities to believe it may have encountered difficulties while flying over the interior.

This is a developing story.