View Full Version : Keith Smith, missing and presumed dead
CrashDive
11th Apr 2004, 08:00
A good friend (GeoffB) has just telephoned and told me that Keith Smith is missing and presumed dead.
The precise circumstances of what happened to Keith are not clear but it would seem that, sometime on Wednesday / Thursday, he fell from his boat in Plymouth harbour.
The likely outcome is far from promising, Plymouth harbour has very strong tides and the water temperature is presently in single figures. An ‘Air Sea Rescue’ was launched for him on Thursday and divers attended the area yesterday ( Saturday ) – at this time Keith has not been found and the consensus of the rescue services is that he will not be found alive.
Keith’s career spanned various airlines, notably DanAir ( BAC1-11 / B727 ), Dominican Republic ( B727 ), Air Europe ( B737 & B757 – he was deputy fleet manager on the latter ), EVA ( B747 Fleet Manager ), finishing off with City Flyer ( ATR ).
Fokkerwokker
11th Apr 2004, 09:14
Knew Keith in his Dan Air days. Nice guy. Very saddened at the news
False Capture
11th Apr 2004, 09:35
Very sad news, Keith was always a real gent and a genuinely nice guy. I enjoyed flying with Keith on the ATR in CFE and always felt I was in safe hands.
I take it GeoffB is the same Geoff who job-shared with Keith in CFE. (CrashDive writes: yes, that's the one and same Geoff)
BlueEagle
11th Apr 2004, 10:44
Very sorry to hear that. Keith was a really nice guy, did my 'Final Fumble' on the 757 in AE.
Harry G
11th Apr 2004, 21:01
A real Gent.
I always enjoyed flying with him on the ATR at CityFlyer.
I remember he once looked over at me whilst we were flying along and he remarked "you really enjoy flying don't you", sure do.
Cobbler
11th Apr 2004, 21:40
Also flew a number of times with Keith on the ATR. He was a real gentleman, the sort of guy whom everybody enjoyed flying with. A tragic loss.
Tartan Giant
12th Apr 2004, 10:24
As mentioned, Keith was one of our respected DA colleagues on the 1-11 and the B727, and it goes without saying this tragic news is just devastating.
On behalf of the Dan Air Staff Association (DASA) may I add our combined sincere condolences to his family.
It is so very sad that such a heartbreaking event has to happen to such a nice guy.
TG
FaPoGai
13th Apr 2004, 17:59
FokkerWokker
Of course sad news.
Will you be at the GF reunion in May?
Rgds. FPG
Danny
13th Apr 2004, 19:37
I have received an email from Elisabeth Smith, Keith Smiths wife and she would like his ex-colleagues to be able to hear from her and wants to publish her address and telephone number and email so anyone can contact her. However, thought it would be inappropriate to publish them on such a wide forum and as such I have set up an email address which will forward to Elisabeth directly.
The email to use is:
[email protected]
Tartan Giant
13th Apr 2004, 19:42
Hello Danny,
Good Call on that one, and most appropriate.
Many thanks, I shall use the facility offered.
Best wishes
TG
PPRuNe Towers
14th Apr 2004, 12:51
A note for those who have contributed to this thread or written privately:
Thank you so very very much.__ Keith was so admired and loved and it is being a great comfort to his sister who mostly brought him up as well as being lovely for me to hear such glowing things said about Keith.__ Of course, I knew them anyway._ thank you, Elisabeth
Keith's body found at 2130 yesterday evening. I had the priviledge of his company and his training expertise at Air Europe.
Very sad day.
CP32
So sad to hear the news. I flew with Keith in Air Europe and always found him to he a gentleman and extremely professional pilot. My sincere condolences to his family.
Tom the Tenor
20th Apr 2004, 09:20
Keith must have visited us at Cork loads of times with DA and CFE. Rest in Peace.
SPFlyer
20th Apr 2004, 14:06
Worked in rostering at CFE, dealt with Keith on a regular basis.
Always found him a pleasant and polite man, a pleasure to deal with. Always did his best to help when required. A sad loss.
R.I.P.
scanscanscan
21st May 2004, 16:17
Keith Smith and I shared a love of flying and the same DOB.
We were very good friends at Bahamas Airways Nassau 1966 to 1970 where Keith flew the Vicount, Bac 111 and HS748.
When Keith left for England to do more serious flying he suggested we meet up at the end of our flying careers and compare notes.
Thanks to a pprune search we had a great reunion in 2002.
The vision of my young friend and our carefree Nassau flying days will be always with me and he is sadly missed.
Keith would have been 64 on the 18th of May.
dakar
27th May 2004, 08:13
Used to work in CFE Ops Control. Keith was an exceptional Captain and helped us out on many occasions.
My deepest sympathies to his family. Rest in Peace.