Minister Indar – GDF helicopter crash report exempt from release on national security grounds
“Because it is a national security issue, it is exempted.” That was the firm position taken by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar on Thursday night as he defended the government’s decision not to release the investigation report into the fatal Guyana Defence Force helicopter crash.
Speaking during his contribution to the 2026 Budget Debate, Indar said the December 2023 crash involved a military operation, not a civilian flight, and therefore fell outside the scope of mandatory public disclosure.
“It was a military operation, it was not a civilian flight,” Indar told the National Assembly. “Because it is a national security issue, it is exempted.”
The crash claimed the lives of five servicemen: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Warrant Officer Class Two Jason Khan. They were among a seven-member crew aboard the GDF’s Bell 412 helicopter.
Indar’s comments came one day after Opposition Parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir raised concerns that Guyana could be in breach of the Convention on International Civil Aviation by failing to publish the investigation report. While acknowledging that certain aspects of the findings may need to remain confidential for security reasons, Walton-Desir maintained that a report should still be made public.
Indar rejected that argument, pointing to provisions within the Chicago Convention itself. He noted that while the International Civil Aviation Organisation requires the publication of investigation reports, Annexe 13 of the convention allows for non-disclosure where national security considerations apply.
He argued that this exemption fully covers the circumstances surrounding the GDF crash and that local authorities are therefore not obligated to release the report.
Following Indar’s presentation, APNU MP Terrence Campbell challenged the government’s stance, reminding the House that officials had previously given assurances that the report would be made public. Campbell questioned why there now appeared to be a reluctance to share the document, particularly with families and the wider public seeking closure.
While the full investigation report remains confidential, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan said last year that the findings of the internal probe were acted upon in full. Speaking at a press conference in May 2025, Brigadier Khan said all recommendations arising from the investigation had been implemented.
“All the recommendations, all the findings of our internal investigation have been acted upon,” he said.
The issue has continued to draw public attention, especially from relatives of the fallen servicemen and aviation and governance observers, who have called for greater transparency while recognising the sensitivities surrounding national defence matters.
