406 crash in Mwanza

[Soap Box Cowboy]

Hi guys, just got word Auric Air's 406 crashed in Mwanza. Two pilots were on a training flight doing touch and go's. After take off the controler reported the the aircraft made a sharp turn and flew into one of the surrounding hills. Both pilots were killed and the aircraft caught fire. No word yet as to the cause of the crash. Both boddies have been extracted from the wreckage.

Thoughts go out to their friends and families. Names witheld out of respect for them.

[CathayBrat]

Always knew Auric's "Maintanance" would get some one eventually. Maybe the TCAA will shut tem down once and for all, cant see Mo:mad:ed paying off this one! RIP boys, the TP will be an emptier place.

[helldog]

Bloody hell. I remember when I was flying that machine, she was in bloody fine condition. So sorry for the families of the pilots....very sad RIP guys:{

[Wyle E Coyote]

What do they say? more accidents are caused by simulating engine failures in light twins than by actual ones?

regardless of the cause, a very sad day.

[Coleman Myers]

Pole sana. RIP

[Contract Dog]

sleep tight guys, my condolences

Dog

[406pilot]

holla people,

sad news indeed, rip guys.....any idea wht the weather was like there?

keep it up there fellows,

no more 406pilot

[JohnnyK]

RIP Mate. You were one of our favourites.I cant believe youre gone. Your goodness and your kindness will never be forgotten by Tomo and I.

[pyote]

Going to miss you so much mate!

Will always have fond memories of you!

[jarb]

RIP mate, will catch up when i get up there.

[flyhardmo]

Very sad news indeed. Condolences to the families of those involved and to the pilot community in Tanzania. It always hurts to lose one of our own.:(:(:(

[B737 lover]

406pilot the weather was fine at the time of the tragedy accident, good weather for training as well and that 406 was a good machine, i guess it was a simulated engine failure after takeoff from rwy 12 and you know how it is.
But all in all my condolences to the close friends and family.
RIP GUYS.

[Wyle E Coyote]

Just found out who it was.

All I can say is Damn.

Keep the beer cold mate, looks like the next party's at your place.

[FlyingChipmunk]

Dear MS

I was so looking forward to you coming home as we discussed about 2 weeks ago.

Remember how we spoke about being on the flight deck together ( under that tree in Maroochydore) just over a year ago?.....well, from here on out, you'll be with me on every one of my flights till I come join you mate.

I have run out of tears, but one thing for sure, I'll never forget the most wonderful memories of our time together. Just remember to listen out, because I promise that each time I fly over TZ in that 777 one day, the one that we have always dreamt about, I'll be on Area saying 'Hi' and telling you how I'm going.

I miss you much 'Scottie', and your dead pan humour. Just don't forget to whisper some precious advice when things get a little hairy for me one day.

I'm sure we'll be talking again soon.

[BoomerangPilot]

These guys were awsome fellas ... Not a bad bone between them ... Good pilots as well. Been flying me and my colleagues around the mines in TZ for a while now and always safe and conciencious. Such a tragic accident. YOu guys will definately be missed.

Chris mate, believe it or not you were the first man to let me loose on the controls of an aircraft...even if i was only S&L it was awsome and instigated my desire to follow my dream. Thanks so much. I'l be thinking of you always where ever i end up flying ..

RIP guys

Dave Fleming

[SkrywerDrywer]

It's always sad. RIP guys.

Story here: http://tinyurl.com/2wolwg

[Staalburger]

Sad,sad news...

It was an honour and pleasure to have known you Chris,we all will miss the days flying on your wing over the Namib and Atlantic, the braais on the beach,Jagermeisters at the Sky-divers and who you were as a person.

Thanks for helping when that hooligan attacked me for no apparent reason that one night at Grunies!:)

Cheers my man,RIP.

Does anybody have contact info of a friend of Chris's,I am urgently trying to find a number of someone who might have info about the funeral on behalf of someone who lives in England who was a friend of Chris. Please PM me should you have any info/contact details.Thanks in advance.

[lowbypass]

Sad news indeed...clear weather, training flight.
They say there is no new accident. Same accidents, different people involved.
Let us salute them by sharpenig our skills.
R.I.P mates.

[Istorik]

Which aircraft is involved? 5H-AWK?

[Eff_Ohh_Ron_Jeremy]

You will be missed Chris. You were one of the good ones.

[mwanzanese]

Chris and Mat,

What the hell can I say, what's going to happen now? I'll miss you every time I'm going to the office, taking off and pass that damn hill. That damn phonecall from E, I will never forget, the crash site, at the hospital, everthing... I hope I'll make it to England and P to Australia. It's absolutely unfair what happened. I really hope that we can ever meet again wherever you guys are. Hope you're doing fine guys,

O

[jas24zzk]

Hi all,
on behalf of mathew's family and friends, I would like to thank you all for your kind words.

I recieved word of this at about 5am my local time yesterday, and at time of writing I am still struggling.

I cannot express how proud I was to see him pass me in ratings etc.:D

I have tried, but cannot find the words to express my grief at his loss.

I will miss they way he saunters up with a cheeky smirk and asks if he needs to come along to make sure i don't get lost.

Mattie, I guess your my co-pilot now.

Jas

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[Staalburger]

Thanks to everyone who has replied to my request regarding contact info.I have the necessary numbers now,thanks again to all.

Keep it safe,not just for now after an accident but ALWAYS.

O.E.

[JanNewbery]

Hi Adam,

Didn't we all know this was going to happen at some point with
Auric? It's just an awful and tragic waste of young lives.

Jan xx

[JanNewbery]

That's the one

[swoz]

i've met chris just over 4 years back in a bus from francistown to maun, both of us looking for that very first break which eventually came a few months later over in swakopmund... we went seperate ways for a while and worked together at auric for the last couple of years... mat happened to stumble over me in maroochydoree at the beginning of last year - fresh out of flying school and he joined us in march last year...
that was going to be his base check on the 406... sadly they both crashed shortly after take-off...

we are going to have a memorial service at tunza lodge in mwanza, tuesday, 8th at 5pm to honour CHRIS MANLEY and MAT SMITH

[africanpilot2625]

I am disturbed at the comments by Jan Newbery and Adam at this tragic time. Rather then expressing their sorrow and pain. This is not the time to brag about how right you were or what you were expecting.

Auric Air Services is one of the better organised charter operator in the region. It is thanks to the hard work that was put in by Gabriel Koller and our beloved Christain Christian Manley together with their entire team including Mat Smith that the company achieved high standards of operations.

The accident on 3rd of April is deeply regretted by everyone.

If you can, then please do make it to the Memorial Ceremony which is to be held at Tunza Lodge in Mwanza on Tuesday 8th April at 1700 Hours.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the two great pilots who were also two great people.

Gents, please dont use tragic moments like these to your advantage to express your hatered

[helldog]

Ahh Tunza Lodge, scene of many a happy drunken night for me. I sure some of the stools there must have a big imprint of my big @rse. Its sad that on Tuesday it will be the scene of such a sombre gathering. I will tilt a glass to the sky from my end:(

[BoomerangPilot]

Saitek - please keep me informed of arrangements in UK. I sent you an email. Hope to hear from you....
Thx

[YMEN]

Matty,

You will be missed here in Australia. You will always be my wingman mate. Keep the clouds warm and the beer cold for me man!

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[rabidpangolin]

RIP Chris. very sad news. You'll be missed by many.

[jas24zzk]

HI guys,
today (friday) there was a lovely article in the main local paper about matty.
I'd like to make it available to all interested.

The paper has forwarded it to me in pdf format.

At present I can only email it to you. I hope i can get my computer back in order ASAP to host it for you all.

Anyone that feels a rush to see this lovely article should mail me direct for a copy.

Jas

[The Hill]

Rest in peace Chris, you were a good bugger.

[jas24zzk]

Hi all,
details of Mathews Australian service below.

SMITH. _ A Service of
Thanksgiving to celebrate the
life of Mathew Raymond Smith
will be held at Stones of The
Yarra Valley Chapel, St
Huberts Rd, Coldstream
(Mel Ref 275:H11) on
THURSDAY (Apr. 17) at 2 p.m.
No flowers by request. In lieu
donations to the Royal Flying
Doctor Service would be
appreciated. Envelopes will be
available.


For those that were after the Article Published in the Melbourne Herald Sun, you can download it from my personal site here:- (adobe required)

http://www.jasonpigdon.com/storage/matty.pdf

Cheers
Jas

[Pro1966]

Hi all,

This is the first time I have posted anything on Prrune or come to say that any web service but I just have to say.

I met Chris at the Chameloen Backpackers in Windhoek, Namibia some years back, through another friend flying here, for a few jolly beers. Chris was an excellent ol' chap, it was a pleasure to meet him, even briefly as it was. Was saddened by the tragic lose. Thoughts go out to his family and close friends.

Nigel

ps. fellow POM from Bournemouth.