View Full Version : Mal Smith from Pacific Helicopters Passed Away
KiwiNedNZ
5th Apr 2021, 07:49
Today is the end of an era - we lost one of life's true good bastards. Mal Smith created and grew Pacific Helicopters in the jungles of PNG and was probably the most straight shooting person you would ever meet - but also had the kindest heart when needed. I was privileged to have made a few trips to the jungles of PNG to work with Mal and his amazing crew. Mal passed away last night.
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Salusa
5th Apr 2021, 09:08
Found out this morning that Mal passed away. Covid related apparantly.
He could be an ornery bugger sometimes, but all respect to him and what he achieved in PNG and elsewhere.
RIP Mal. You were an icon of the industry.
gulliBell
5th Apr 2021, 14:59
Mal Smith, DFC. Landed his Sioux helicopter in a minefield in the Long Hai hills of Vietnam a number of times to medivac wounded Australian soldiers from 8th Battalion RAR. A humble man. He certainly built an aviation empire in PNG. I think the largest civilian order of H500 helicopters ever.
Mcallen
9th Apr 2021, 05:11
Worked for Mal for a number of years, always got on with him.
RIP Mal.