Käyser Airstrip, also Käyser Jan Gouka Airstrip (ICAO: SMKE) is near the Käyser Mountains range in Sipaliwini District, Suriname. It was constructed as part of Operation Grasshopper ( a project to look for natural resources) and has one long grass runway. Fishing and wildlife tours are prime users of the airstrip.[3]
History
The runway was laid out in the framework of Operation Grasshopper and is located on the Zuid River (branch of the Lucie River) near the Käyser Mountains, named after the explorer Conrad Carel Käyser. In July 1959 under the direction of Dirk Geijskes an expedition began in preparation for the airports at the Coeroeni River and the Käyser Mountains.[3] In December 1960, Käyser Airstrip opened up for public air traffic in Suriname. On 25 October 1968 a KLM Aerocarto C-47A registered PH-DAA flew into Tafelberg Mountain, Suriname, following an engine failure while on a survey flight. The aircraft collided with the mountain in cloudy conditions, killing three of the five people on board.[4] In memory of the deceased Captain Jan Gouka, the Käyser Airstrip was named after him. [5]
Airlines and destinations
Currently, no scheduled airlines are offered from Käyser Jan Gouka Airstrip.
