missing missionary pilot N.T

[Guest deril isaacs]

Search resumes for missing pilot

 

Posted Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:00am AEDT

 

• Map: Galiwinku 0822
   
   
  

 

 

 

A search has resumed for a young pilot who went missing off the Northern Territory coast two days ago.

 

Hadley Smith, 23, was last seen flying from Elcho Island on Thursday morning.

 

Debris from his single-engined plane was found about 20 kilometres from the island yesterday, but a search is continuing for the Mr Smith and the rest of the aircraft.

 

Australian Search and Rescue says civil and military aircraft and ships have started the search, but it will reassess the situation later this morning.

 

The plane was owned by Missionary Aviation Fellowship.

 

The Fellowship's chief executive Rob Owen says he has no idea what has gone wrong.

 

"It's never happened up there to us before and it was only a relatively short flight," he said.

 

He says Mr Smith is an an experienced pilot who knows the area very well.

 

"He has a fair amount of experience. I understand he may be an instructor," he said.

 

"He'd certainly have close, or more than a thousand hours flying experience, he's had extensive experience in the area and flown that route a number of times."

 

Search resumes for missing pilot - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

Could some one familiar with Hoxton park airport in Sydney confirm if this is Hadley who used to instruct for Liverpool flying school, run by rene. I just herd this on the news and theirs just to many similarities . I did my ab initio training for my ppl with Hadley who was 20 at the time. I remember him telling me he wanted to work as a missionary pilot and was waiting to get his 300 hours PIC so he could apply . He was passionate about his religion, helping people and flying, a good bloke and An excellent teacher. Very sad loss

 

 

[motzartmerv]

Im not to sure, but like you say it doesn't sound good.. I know a couple of these guys that fly for the mission.. Its very sad indeed, why the nice guy??..

 

 

[Tomo]

Poor Guy....

 

I'd really like to fly for MAF one day myself....

 

If you would like more info about the accident and up to date news you can go straight the the MAF web page. MAF News - Mission Aviation Fellowship

 

Cheers,

 

 

[Ultralights]

Sadly young Hadleigh Smith was one of our students.. He was a very capable pilot and great bloke.. another great loss to the aviation community, and as Merv said, why is it always the genuine great guys that go..

 

 

[BLA82]

My thoughts are with the family and the pilot, lets hope for a miracle.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

The MAF had an excellent display at Airventure. I sat in on one of their forums and really learnt a lot about the conditions that they operate into and the logisitics of their almost worldwide operations. It was interesting to note that they will be staying with conventional metal aircraft in the future with minimal composite componets for the simple reason for repair in the field. Composites would be a nightmare to repair in hot humid conditions for instance. Due to ever increasing availability and cost of avgas they will be using more turbine powered aircraft and converting their existing piston fleet. In interest of the environment they intend to source locally brewed biofuels.

 

if you can land a job with MAF you will have an amazing career ahead of you.

 

ozzie

 

 

[Guest deril isaacs]

Really gutted to find out that this was infact Hadleigh Smith. He was my age and after my lessons we used to spend time chatting .. He told me how much he had to sacrifice to get his commercial , working in mail rooms to pay for his training but loved the fact that being a pilot impressed the girls. I was there when he hit 300 hours and we went down to liverpool catholic club for lunch and a chat. He was a Kiwi and seemed to enjoy my kiwi jokes but gave as good as he got. He had some increadbly funny cracks about rene the cfi of LFS. And if uv ever met rene you'd know what i mean .

 

He was doing what he loved. And its amazing he knew what he wanted to do and just went and did it. Lesson in their somewhere .. May his soul rest in peace

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

It is a sad fact in life that accidents can and do happen to those who are doing great things for humanity. sometimes the way things work out you often wonder what life is all about. condolenses for your friend and a safe and rewarding future for yourself Deril.

 

Ozzie

 

 

[Tomo]

Here's the latest (I was a bit late in putting it on here) news about Hadleigh Smith's Search....

 

Hadleigh Remembered

 

Friday, 24 October 2008

 

The authorities have changed the search emphasis. Whilst the use of aircraft has diminished, ships with specialised equipment are being deployed in Buckingham Bay to search for the aircraft wreckage. We are hopeful that images of the aircraft fuselage will give information as to its precise location. Please pray that this is the case and it will be recovered. It is probable that Hadleigh's body is still in the wreckage.

 

The family believe that their beloved son is in the presence of their Lord and, as such, have organised a Thanksgiving service at their church on Monday, 27 October. Please pray that this is a wonderful celebration of a life given in service for his Lord and also that all who attend will be challenged to put their trust in God.

 

Cheers,

 

 

[Ultralights]

a service for Hadleigh Smith will be held Monday 27th October at 10 am.

 

Gymea Peoples Church, 166 Gymea Bay Rd, Gymea.

 

He was a good young bloke. Loved his flying and the All Blacks.

 

Had served Australia in the Army Reserve as a digger. RIP mate

 

 

[Guest High Plains Drifter]

He was a good young bloke. Loved his flying...

To go out doing what you loved in the service of your fellows ....who could ask for more :thumb_up:

 

 

[BLA82]

RIP Mate :thumb_up: