Runway incursions by animals and people at hinterland aerodromes are putting pilots, passengers and crew at serious risk, the Aviation Operators' Association of Guyana (AOAG) has warned, days after an aircraft occurrence at Mabaruma.

The association said the Mabaruma occurrence had again drawn public attention to the issue. While the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is investigating the circumstances of that occurrence, the AOAG said the wider problem of animals and persons entering aerodrome operating areas has long concerned aircraft operators.

An aircraft taking off or landing is operating at a critical phase of flight, the AOAG said, noting that the sudden appearance of a dog, cow, horse, pig, bird, person, vehicle or other obstruction on a runway can leave a pilot with only seconds to react. Avoiding a collision may require a rejected take-off, go-around, emergency braking or evasive action, any of which can place passengers, crew and the aircraft at considerable risk.

Hinterland aerodromes are essential lifelines for many communities, the association said, providing access to medical evacuation, food and supplies, passenger transportation, Government services, tourism and emergency response. Protecting these aerodromes, it added, must therefore be a shared responsibility.

The AOAG urged residents living near aerodromes to keep livestock away from airport boundaries, refrain from crossing runways or damaging perimeter fences, and immediately report animals, persons or other hazards observed within restricted airport areas. It also encouraged relevant authorities, aerodrome operators and aircraft operators to continue strengthening runway inspections, perimeter security, wildlife-control measures and mechanisms for reporting and responding to hazards.

"The objective must not be to assign blame, but to prevent an avoidable tragedy," the association said, adding that a runway is not a roadway, footpath or grazing area, and that when an aircraft is taking off or landing, even a few seconds can mean the difference between a normal operation and a serious accident.

The AOAG called on communities throughout Guyana to help protect the country's hinterland aerodromes and the lives of everyone who depends on them. It also called on the GCAA to assert its authority to ensure all aerodromes are regulated to meet required safety standards.

Scene from a recent aircraft accident at Mabaruma, Region One, where a plane ran off the runway while attempting to avoid hitting a dog
Scene from a recent aircraft accident at Mabaruma, Region One, where a plane ran off the runway while attempting to avoid hitting a dog