Keith Smith, missing and presumed dead
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Keith Smith, missing and presumed dead
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 ).
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 ).
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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)
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)
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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.
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.
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Dan Air friend
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
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
aka Capt PPRuNe
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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]
The email to use is: [email protected]
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
