They really say that bush flying isn’t for the faint for heart, and sometimes small mistakes could put you in a dangerous situation.

On November 6, 2025, the pilot of an Air Services Limited Cessna 208 Caravan registered 8R-THR accidentally landed near a school yard after misidentifying the designated airstrip while flying to Karaudarnau Village, in the South Rupununi region of Guyana.

According to locals, the pilot was unfamiliar with the area and mistook a recently graded dirt road leading to school construction site as the landing strip. Even though the pilot was provided with coordinates and photos of the field, he still confused the two, missing the airstrip which was just one kilometer away from the village center.

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An aircraft bearing registration number 8R-THR en route to Karau-dar-nau in the South Rupununi region mistakenly landed at the new Secondary School site on Thursday morning. During take off the plane partially damaged the newly built school fence. Authorities confirmed no injuries were reported. A resident, Dan Rickson further explained that the pilot was a Spanish-speaking national and may not have been aware of the area. Rickson stated that the village’s airstrip is a short distance away from when the pilot landed. newsroomguyana aircraft badlanding southrupununi

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I get it, mistakes happen. It’s definitely not the first, nor will it be the last time someone lands at the wrong destination, but I think the departure has to be the craziest part of this ordeal.

In separate videos filmed by Dan Rickson and Krista DaSilva, the pilot was seen powering the Caravan along the dirt road, but was forced to reject the first takeoff as he was not able to generate enough speed. On the second attempt, he somehow manages to get airborne, threading the aircraft through the gated entrance to the school yard during liftoff.

Had the aircraft not gained enough altitude, or drifted from the center of the track, it would have certainly clipped the fence, leading to disaster.

8r thr close up
Credit: Dan Rickson

Later reports indicate that no one on board was injured, and the aircraft made it to its original destination in one piece. An inspection of the site revealed minor damage to the fence. On the second attempt, you can see a few bits of construction material falling to the ground.

When it comes to aviation, nothing really surprises me anymore. Some in the comments called it skill, but I call it sheer, dumb luck. Without really seeing the length and condition of the road, it’s hard to say why the pilot opted not to depart in the opposite direction. Maybe the strip of road was too short and bumpy at the end? Maybe the winds favored departing towards the school?

The incident is currently being investigated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. They have issued the following statement.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has begun an investigation into a recent aircraft incident involving an Air Services Limited Cessna 208 Grand Caravan, registered as 8R-THR.

The incident took place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, near Lumidpau Primary School, where the pilot landed the aircraft in a non-designated area and subsequently took off from the said area.

The aircraft has been grounded, and the pilot has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. Air Services Limited has been notified that an investigation has been initiated.

The GCAA is dedicated to ensuring thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding this incident to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety.

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