The Guatemalan Army confirmed this Tuesday, July 7, the lifeless discovery of First Specialist Soldier Nicolás Felipe Ordóñez Canto, a member of the Humanitarian and Rescue Brigade (BHR), who disappeared while participating in the recovery efforts of the victims of the plane crash that occurred on Friday, July 3 in San Miguel Pochuta, Chimaltenango.
Through a statement, the Ministry of National Defense reported that the soldier was located as a result of the search and location operations carried out since the accident.
The institution added that, in respect of due process and ongoing investigations, it will be up to the competent authorities to establish and officially report the causes of death.
The Ministry of National Defense also expressed its condolences to the family, friends and service colleagues of the rescuer and highlighted his dedication, bravery and commitment during the performance of his duty.
rescue operation
Since Saturday, dozens of rescuers from the Army, Volunteer Firefighters and other institutions participated in an extensive operation to reach the place where the TG-PIP aircraft fell, near the village Unión Victoria, San Miguel Pochuta.
The work was complicated due to the terrain conditions and bad weather, so the Army reinforced the deployment of specialized personnel to support the search, recovery and extraction of the victims.
Officer José Puerta, of the Volunteer Firefighters, explained that the first rescue teams managed to reach the site on Saturday, when they located the crashed aircraft. Since then they remained in the area to coordinate the recovery efforts of the bodies.
Likewise, he indicated that on Sunday the work continued with specialized personnel and equipment to extract the victims and relieve the rescuers who had remained on the mountain since the previous night.
accident investigation
While the rescue efforts were progressing, personnel from the Air Accident and Incident Investigation Unit (UIA), of the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC), went to the scene of the accident to collect evidence that would allow establishing the causes of the accident of the TG-PIP aircraft.
The authorities reported that the investigations continue and that the results will be released once the corresponding technical analyzes are concluded.
Victims
The Volunteer Firefighters reported that two of the bodies located at the scene of the accident were recovered.
Subsequently, the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics confirmed that the extracted victims were identified as Javier Luengo Delgado and Juan José Barrera. Hours later a third body was recovered.
The search and recovery operations were carried out in a coordinated manner between the Guatemalan Army, the Guatemalan Air Force, the Volunteer Firefighters, the DGAC and other institutions that make up the national emergency response system.
This is how the accident occurred
The emergency began last July 3when the aircraft Beechcraft V35 Bonanzawith registration TG-PIPtook off from La Aurora International Airport heading to a farm located in Santa Barbara, Suchitepéquez. According to the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC)the flight developed according to the established plan; However, hours later the Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT)which alerted authorities to a possible accident.
After the activation of the signal, a joint operation was launched in which the DGACthe Guatemalan Air Forcehe Guatemalan Armyrelief bodies and other institutions of the national response system.
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