Tragedy & Loss
Have you lost a loved one due to an aviation accident? Were you or a loved one injured? Do you have concerns about how thoroughly this accident was investigated to determine whether it could have been prevented, and to prevent recurrences? Did you experience difficulties in getting answers from the authorities? Were there communication problems which further traumatized you? Are you losing confidence in the system that was meant to protect you and your loved ones?
â–ºPlease see Fatal Occurrences for information about fatalities since April 21, 2009.
As a result of her research and investigations, Kirsten Stevens has become a valuable resource to others in similar situations. Through this website, she wishes to extend both her condolences and empathy to other "victims", and to offer her insight and help in every possible way. In the past, she has assisted by: communicating by telephone and in writing with the TSB, TCCA and the Coroner's Service on behalf of "victims"; providing guidance and understanding; offering counselling advice; and simply providing an ear that can listen.
If you could benefit from this sort of help, or would like to support our efforts to improve air safety in Canada, please contact Kirsten Stevens at: 
Background
When Kirsten Stevens lost her husband on February 28th 2005, she expected that his workplace death would be fully investigated for cause and contributing factors, including broken aviation rules and standards, as well as infringements of the Canada Labour Code. She was sorely disappointed. The lack of effective investigation was compounded by poor communications, which further resulted in a four year interim before the release of the Coroner's Report into his death and recommendations to prevent future similar deaths.
As a result of her experiences, she did extensive investigation and discovered that she was not alone in feeling betrayed. More information about Kirsten and her experiences is available through pages on the site by following this link, and by visiting www.questforjustice.ca. What follows is some of the information she believes needs to be shared with other families, loved ones and survivors of aviation accidents.
Reference Information
While the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is responsible for determining cause and contributing factors and making recommendations to whit, other government organizations which may be involved in aviation accident investigations typically include; Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and/or provincial Worker's Compensation Boards, the RCMP and the provincial Coroner's Service. Depending on the employment activities of workers on board the aircraft, there may be additional government and/or industry organizations involved. All of these organizations will have different and overlapping mandates, much of which will be dependant on the expertise of the TSB.
Unfortunately, due both to the number of investigators employed and funding limitations, the TSB does not investigate all accidents (fatal or otherwise) to the same extent. It is important that you find out as soon as possible the degree of investigation assigned using the TSB's Occurrence Classification Policy.
You may also wish to read the TSB's Policy on Occurrence Information Dissemination to Families, Loved Ones and Survivors (FLS).
Although a movement for a National Compassionate Assistance Program (NCAP), involving policy changes for both the TSB and TCCA, was spearheaded by Jane Abramson after she lost her son David on March 14th 2000 (TSB Report A98Q0114), the Program never came to fruition.
While there are a number of organizations available to help people deal with grief and trauma, we at SafeSkies.ca continue to advocate for improved communication and timeliness with respect to TCCA and TSB investigations and reports. In the United States, two programs exist; please see External Resources for more information about the Transportation Disaster Assistance and the National Air Disaster Alliance Foundation/Association.
We believe a Canadian NCAP is required to facilitate communications between organizations and individuals and provide for improved closure. This would allow families, loved ones and survivors to heal more quickly and effectively.
Tragedy & Loss Project
With the April 28th 2010 National Day of Mourning in view, in memory of workers killed and injured on the job (World Day for Safety and Health at Work), Kirsten aims to launch a set of pages at SafeSkies.ca that will commemorate those who have been hurt or killed in aviation accidents in Canada.
The aim of this project will be: to publicize stories related to the heartache caused by Canadian aviation accidents; to bring victims, survivors and families together; and to push for a National Compassionate Assistance Program.
Please see Remembering Damien Hancock for an example of what these pages will look like.
If you would like to be involved in this project please contact: