.JPG) A Bell 412 similar to the one involved in the incident | |
| Occurrence | |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 December 2023 |
| Summary | Crashed, under investigation |
| Site | 48 km (30 miles) east of Arau, Guyana |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Bell 412EP |
| Operator | Guyana Defence Force |
| Registration | 8R-AYA |
| Flight origin | Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, Guyana |
| Destination | Arau, Guyana |
| Occupants | 7 |
| Passengers | 4 |
| Crew | 3 |
| Fatalities | 5 |
| Survivors | 2 |
On 6 December 2023, a Bell 412EP helicopter operated by the Guyana Defence Force crashed in western Guyana, killing five out of the seven on board.[1] The crash happened about 30 miles east of Arau near the Venezuelan border.[2] The helicopter carried senior GDF military officers, and was reportedly conducting "border operations".[3]
The crash occurred during a political crisis between Guyana and Venezuela regarding the Guyana–Venezuela territorial dispute.[1] The crash marked the deadliest incident in Guyana's recent military history since the Rupununi uprising in 1969.[4][better source needed]
- ^ a b "Guyana military helicopter crash kills 5 officers and leaves 2 survivors". AP News. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "Search teams spot Guyana army helicopter that went missing". Jamaica Observer. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ Khan, RISHARD (6 December 2023). "Guyanese Defence Force helicopter goes down near Venezuelan border". Newsday. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "Guyana military helicopter crash kills 5 officers and leaves 2 survivors". AP News. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.