I, like many, was devastated by the loss of Bluestreak 5342 at the end of January. I was seven-years old the last time the U.S. had a major air disaster, and this is my first time reconciling such a major safety incident since my aviation journey began in high school.
The accident is especially relevant as I prepare for my first work in the Part 121 airline world. After a year of flight instructing, with my next job on the distant horizon, I am forced to reframe how I see my work and how to approach air safety as a crewmember.
In the recent weeks since the accident, I have certainly noticed effects. I am more alert, focused, and aware of my environment and surroundings inflight. I have greater oversight over my students, and while I’m certainly not trying to intervene more, I do wonder whether and how my added vigilance is coming across.
Perhaps just as important is how family, friends, and students have approached the subject with me. Soon after I learned about the accident through a tweet from a friend who added “this is bad,” my mom called, her worry manifesting with questions about what happened, who was involved, whether I was safe.
I ran through a mental inventory of who I know that might fly for PSA or have any reason to be in Wichita, but not long after, my mind turned analytical. I wanted to know the details, what had happened, what to expect going forward. As more details arose, both the night of the tragedy and in the following days, a mental picture began forming in three dimensions as to who was where and when.
When I showed up to work the next day, right out of the gate, my first student asked what my thoughts were. He, an instructor-in-training looking for reassurance, was among a number of students, colleagues, and friends and family who have asked if flying was still safe and a good idea.
My job as an instructor is to address others’ fears in a straightforward and analytical way; my answers aren’t always easy, but in many cases they’re necessary. They not only reassure and calm, but they also impart essential knowledge about handling air traffic in the real world. Every aviation professional is aware of the need to learn from mishaps, big and small, and this is no different.
Equally, my answers have an important caveat—the professionals are still working. It will take the NTSB time to pick through the evidence and piece together every detail of the puzzle. It will take time to coordinate with the FAA and come up with actionable, long-term reforms to improve flying safety not only for those in the DC area but around the country. Yet, as my fiancée rightly pointed out, this investigation will surely receive the NTSB’s full attention and any resource it needs.
Ultimately, two guiding lights have kept me going as I process the emotions and devastation that came soon after this accident. One critical piece is the faith that positive change will come out of this. I hope and pray that our leaders will take time to take a hard look at this accident and, informed by aviation professionals and safety analysts, make decisions that transform our industry for the benefit of each aviator from new student pilots to professional flight crews, air traffic controllers, and the passengers that entrust them to fly safely day in and day out.
More importantly, though, I am inspired by the reactions of each member of the flying community I encounter. Since the accident, I have had the good fortune of witnessing the aviation community come together in grief, strength, and support. My fellow crewmembers have, across the board, put aside political, social, and ideological differences to support each other and lift up the crews flying that fateful night.
Not once have I seen a professional pilot, flight attendant, or controller point fingers, blame, or accuse anyone involved. It warms me to know that, at the end of the day, I am pursuing a career among people that love and care for each other no matter what. I am inspired to see how committed each person is to doing their job and how seriously all take their duty to safely transport millions of passengers a day.
To me, professionals shine in the darkest moments. My faith tells me that the light shines in the dark and the dark shall never overcome it. I know that through the pain that this accident causes, the strength, resolve, and support of my colleagues will continue to shine through, and the industry’s commitment to safety will not waver. I am looking forward to furthering my skills, knowledge, safety mindset, and career in a world so committed to lifting each other up, making progress, and honoring essential duties.
