Skydiving Icon Paul Smith Dies in Plane Crash Near Moruya Airport

Skydiving Visionary Paul Smith Dies in Plane Crash Near Moruya Airport

Paul Smith, a 54-year-old pilot and a respected figure in the skydiving community, tragically died in a plane crash yesterday near Moruya Airport on the NSW south coast. Smith, known for his passion and decades of experience in aviation, was piloting the aircraft just minutes after eight skydivers jumped from it.

Aviation Pioneer Remembered

Paul Smith was more than just a pilot; he was a visionary in the skydiving industry. He had a deep-seated love for aviation, a passion he frequently expressed. In a podcast recording, Smith revealed his lifelong fascination with flight. He had been skydiving for 37 years, emphasizing that his love for aeroplanes and flying was his ultimate passion.

“How long have you been skydiving now? 37 years,” he said in the recording. “I mean, I always have loved to fly, and it’s probably more of my passion than anything. You know, aeroplanes and flying, just ask my wife about how much I look at aeroplanes.”

Witness Accounts and Family Tragedy

Witnesses described the horrifying moment the aircraft spiralled downwards before a loud impact. "It just started heading down really fast, spiralling, and then we just heard a big bang," one witness reported.

Tragically, this incident is not the first aviation-related loss for the family. Smith's father-in-law, also a respected flying instructor, died in a plane crash off Moruya. "So he died in that plane crash, and we inherited his aeroplane, so we’ve had that ever since," Smith had shared, highlighting the family's connection to aviation despite the inherent risks.

Investigation Underway

The circumstances surrounding the crash are currently under investigation, leaving Paul's wife and the skydiving community seeking answers. The focus remains on determining the cause of the accident that claimed the life of this respected figure in the world of aviation.