Annual Report – 2003

Air crash family member groups met for the first time October, 1992, in Washington DC, and from this group NADA/F incorporated in 1995, representing ten aviation disasters, and about 300 members.  NADA/F now represents family members and survivors from over 100 aviation disasters, including thousands of members in the U.S. and worldwide.  In 2003 we also supported our friends from USAirways Express 5481 in Charlotte NC, as well as aviation disasters from Iraq and worldwide.  NADA/F  continues to work with and help air crash organizations committed to our founding goals of: Safety, Security, Survivability and Support for Victims’ Families.

We average over one fatal air crash a day in the U.S., including general aviation, plus foreign and military crashes.  We know that each and every aviation disaster is a great loss, and a preventable disaster.  NADA/F  continues to grow as we hear from new members--those who lost loved ones long ago, those from more recent disasters, survivors and family members--all with a “need to know.” 

NADA/F  Founding Members wrote, promoted, testified and passed the Family Assistance Act of 1996 to help survivors and victims’ families following commercial aviation disasters.  Since that time all levels of government, the aviation industry, and organizations have complied with the Family Assistance Act, except for 9/11.  Ground fatalities have also been accorded the same statutory requirements.  Many small plane crashes, although not required, have also complied with this federal law.  The Family Assistance Act defines “aircraft accident” as “any aviation disaster regardless of its cause or suspected cause,” and requires that family members “are briefed about the accident, its causes, and any other findings of the investigation, and individually informed of and allowed to attend any public hearings and meetings (of the Board) about the accident.”  It also requires family members must be “consulted about the disposition of all (human) remains and personal effects…”  We continue to support family members from 9/11 who are pressing the government for answers and justice.  We will continue to work with everyone for compliance with the provisions of the Family Assistance Act.

All donations to the National Air Disaster Foundation are tax-deductible.  Our individual donors increase each year; however fundraising during 2003 has been more difficult as so many suffer from the economic downturn.  Communication costs (telephone, mailing, copy costs, and website) continue to be over 80% of our operating budget, and these expenses are increasing as our membership increases. Some donations are specific to the Trust Foundation Endowment, and only the interest from those donations can be used to cover specific operating expenses.  The Trust Foundation donations endow our work for the future and specific purposes, but they do not address our need for financial assistance for general operating costs at this critical time. 

The following are a few of NADA/F’s recent activities and accomplishments:

• Family Support Team (FSTeam)  was established three years ago, and has become a diverse and talented group of trained volunteers, well respected by professional social service agencies.  FSTeam  served at the Pentagon Family Command Center, fall 2001, for the first memorial in 2002, and continues to work with the Pentagon families, and many others from 9/11.  FSTeam  also served in 2002 for the family members from the Shanksville PA crash of 9/11 who were able to hear their cockpit voice recorder (CVR).  Our FSTeam  members also had that rare experience of hearing their CVR. We work directly with the airlines to help with their crisis response team training.  We continue to provide peer support to members worldwide.  We do not know what the future holds, or where and when we will be needed next. If you would like to volunteer for Family Support Team  please let us know.

  Fall, 2003 FSTeam  began working with the Lummi Indians from Washington State, and the Pentagon family members, for the Pentagon Healing Pole Journey cross‑country, for dedication Sept. 19, 2004.

• NADA/F’s 9th Annual Meeting October 2003, was another opportunity to learn more from terrific people who support our work—government, the media, and from the private sector.  We learned more about the lawsuit to bankrupt those who financed the 9/11 attacks, the problems with contracted aircraft maintenance, fuel tank inerting to prevent explosions such as TWA800, and more.  Coleen Rowley’s presentation about the need for integrity in government and industry was most timely.  Coleen Rowley was the FBI agent from Minneapolis whose memo to FBI Director Mueller made national news, and was one of the three women for “TIME” magazine “Persons of the Year” for 2002.  A highlight of the Annual Meeting is the time we spend with each other.  Our friendships and peer support also helps us to learn more about how to cope with the personal toll a disaster takes on us all, disaster response, and more.  Some highlights from the Annual Meeting are being shown on C-SPAN, “Terrorism and Aviation Security.”  We are preparing for our 10th Annual Meeting, October 16-17, 2004 close to Washington D.C National/Reagan Airport, at the DoubleTree  Everyone is welcome.
• The History of Hijackings from 1970-2001 shows 823 hijackings, and there was never a “traditional” hijacking.  To better inform that aviation terrorism is a foreseeable event, NADA/F had large posters made of the History of Hijackings and distributed them to Members of Congress, Senators, the 9/11 Commission, members of the media, and more.
• September, 2002 NADA/F alerted all U.S. Senators that they should NOT grant corporate immunity to airport security companies responsible for airport security on September 11, 2001.  The U.S. House had passed a Homeland Security Bill, and during the last five minutes slipped in the provision to grant immunity to those responsible for 9/11.  We alerted the Senators so that none could say “they had no idea.”  After much controversy the Senate narrowly voted to grant immunity to the airport security companies.  NADA/F publicized the vote and hopefully our members will Hold Accountable those Senators who granted corporate immunity. 
• July 2003, NADA/F introduced The SAFE Act, Safe Aviation and Flight Enhancement Act, with bi-partisan support from Congressmen John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) and David Price (D-NC) and additional co-sponsors.  The legislation will implement the NTSB 1999 recommendations for upgraded recovery of critical recorder data immediately following a crash, by equipping aircraft with combined recorders in the front of the aircraft, and a second deployable combination system in the rear.  The “Black Box” has always been the most important tool for air crash investigation, and we must have an accurate probable cause as soon as possible.
• NADA/F’s participation with the FAA ARAC’s (Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committees) has grown since 1999 and we are the only voice and vote for the traveling public at this level of decision-making at the FAA.  We have used this opportunity to work with government and industry to promote the highest standards of aviation safety and security.  NADA/F is also a member of the TSA (Transportation Security Agency) ASAC (Aviation Security Advisory Committee).
• December, 2002, the FAA announced they would mandate center wing fuel tank inerting to prevent disastrous explosions similar to TWA800.  Three NADA/F  members worked for three years on the FAA ARAC Fuel Tank Inerting Working Group.  The industry dominated group said inerting was “too expensive.”  NADA/F filed a major Dissent (available on our website), and we are thankful that the FAA supported our technical Dissent to mandate inerting for the future.  The 2003 Air Safety Award was presented to Jim Hurd, a family member, to recognize his success in getting the FAA and Boeing to agree on fuel tank inerting to prevent center wing tank explosions such as TWA 800.  Jim continues his work and has honored his son by getting airplanes redesigned for higher safety standards. 
• NADA/F continues to be concerned that safety and security of air cargo is being seriously ignored.  NADA/F supports the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) plans for an Air Cargo Symposium to publicly discuss what has been done and what needs to be done.  The first ever Public Hearing of an air cargo crash was held May 2002, in response to an action that began at our 2000 Annual Meeting.
• NADA/F continues to work to require child restraint seats in flight for all children under the age of two.  We met with Secretary of Transportation Mineta in 2002 to discuss this important issue and others.  The response was disappointing, however, we will not go away! The American Association of Pediatrics has also joined our call for this important safety initiative for our precious children.

  We continue to face challenges in 2004.  Government and industry leaders must recognize that all these efforts are to honor our loved ones, and to prevent these disasters in the future.  We will continue to educate and advocate on YOUR behalf with the government, industry, public and private agencies, the media, and others.  NADA/F will encourage the industry and our government to act now to recognize the value of putting the safety and security of people first, and NADA/F will be there to provide day‑to‑day support for victims’ families for as long as it takes them to move ahead.

  On behalf of all our members worldwide,

  Gail A. Dunham

  President