American, Guyanese investigators to probe crash in Guyana

American investigators are expected to arrive in Guyana Monday to examine the black box data voice recorder of the Caribbean Airlines plane that crashed at Cheddi Jagan International Airport Saturday morning.

Reports say the jet, which was on a flight from Port of Spain, overshot the runway and broke in two once it was on the ground.

CAL Chairman George Nicholas told reporters in Trinidad the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigations.

Nicholas also said it's a miracle that the aircraft did not burst into flames. He added, "It's amazing to have an aircraft in that shape with a small number of injuries."

Authorities in Guyana have put up steel barricades around the aircraft to secure it for the investigators.

Airline officials say the pilot of the ill-fated airliner has been flying for 25 years., The plane that crashed was acquired in 2007 for US$38 million by the former BWIA.

A team of Caribbean experts will go to Guyana to assist with "post trauma" counseling for the 151 passengers and six crew members, the airline said.