The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

A FAMILY'S desperate search for missing pilot Clayton Smith ended in anguish yesterday when his remains were found in waters off New Providence.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) confirmed the discovery yesterday morning and extended condolences to the family.

His son, Clayron Smith, 20, who joined divers in the search and was present when they recovered his father’s remains, told The Tribune: “Everything is numb.”

The grim discovery comes a day after search crews found wreckage and documentation from Captain Smith’s aircraft about 26 miles off new Providence. Video footage of the recovery widely circulated online. 

Officials said the remains will be handed over to police for positive identification. 

The AAIA said recovered aircraft components and documentation would help investigators determine what caused the crash. Captain Smith, a 53-year-old father of three, was travelling to New Providence from Exuma on Sunday to collect a passenger and a part for tractor machinery when he disappeared.

He was the only person aboard the Piper PA-32 aircraft, registration C6PA and was expected to return home later that day.

However, Air Traffic Control said they lost contact with the aircraft around 3pm some 30 nautical miles south of New Providence. 

Relatives and officers searched for days, holding onto hope of finding him alive.

His wife of 18 years, Lauralynn Smith, said she had questions about what went wrong.

She said her husband departed in “fine weather” and had filed a flight plan, but questioned why he was not alerted to deteriorating weather conditions in Nassau.

A Severe Meteorological Information (SIGMET) warning issued on Sunday had forecast frequent thunderstorms across Grand Bahama, Abaco, New Providence and Andros until 4.20pm.

Clayron, meanwhile, said he believed it would’ve taken a miracle for his father to survive.

“Ain’t nobody surviving that. You got to be next to Jesus and survive that,” he said.

Still, he said he was grateful for the support of the Exuma community, many of whom joined the search.

News of Captain Smith’s death triggered an outpouring of condolences on social media and also in Parliament.

Exuma MP Chester Cooper called him a valued member of the community who made significant contributions to the island.

Mr Cooper said he had spoken with Captain Smith’s wife and brother and extended condolences on behalf of the government. He urged the public to respect the family’s privacy and allow the AAIA to carry out its investigation.

Beyond his work as a pilot, Captain Smith was a boat captain, sloop sailor and boat builder who contributed to Exuma’s maritime, construction and tourism industries.

He also served three consecutive terms on the Council of Local Government, including as deputy chairman and deputy chief councillor.

Asked what he wanted people to remember about his father, Clayron described him as an innovator and inventor who was always looking for new challenges.

Clayron said he would miss most the opportunities and experiences his father provided.

Yesterday, National Security Minister Myles Laroda applauded the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for its response to the aviation incident and thanked the United States Coast Guard for its assistance.

He declined to address complaints from relatives concerning the search effort. Some family members alleged they had spent several hours searching before Defence Force personnel brought a dinghy to assist them.

“I don't want to get into that,” he said, acknowledging that the family was grieving and that emotions were understandably high.

Mr Laroda said he had seen footage of at least one Defence Force vessel in the area and maintained that every effort had been made to locate the aircraft.

In its statement, the AAIA said it would publish a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days, while a final report outlining the facts, findings and analysis, including the probable cause, would be released within a year.

“No determination has yet been made regarding its cause or contributing factors,” the AAIA said. 

“The sole objective of the safety investigation is to prevent future accidents and incidents without apportioning blame or liability,” the AAIA said.

The Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation also issued a statement pledging its support for the AAIA’s investigation and reaffirming its commitment to strengthening aviation safety and regulatory oversight to help prevent future accidents.