Five Deaths Demand Justice Petition
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Canada
One can only assume (pardon the pun) then that matter is closed, that this is clear and firm evidence that he lacks the experience, intelligence, integrity and common sense, I see no further need to debate this, or look for further evidence to support the question of him being a human being or professional. Therefore with the overwhelming evidence presented, he must work for the government either the Pacific Region TSB or T.C. and sadly, as citizens we are stuck paying for _sshole's like these.
CASE CLOSED!
Investerdude, isn’t life a bitch?
CASE CLOSED!
Investerdude, isn’t life a bitch?
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: By a river
Well the case is not closed for me. I am sending a letter to the TSB to lodge a formal complaint about this smart ass. When we are paying taxes to be controlled by jerks like this, it is high time we stood up to them.
carholme
carholme
. Probably just someone being a !!!!! disturber. Anyways keep up the good work Widow 
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
For those of you interested in this investigation, Senator Gerry St. Germain (a commercial pilot) has recommended the case be considered by the Senate Committee on Transportation and Communications in a letter to the Vice Chair, David Tkachuk, dated June 21st, 2007.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
The W-Five episode was rebroadcast yesterday without prior warning to us, or asking for updates.
We appreciate any help you can provide in spreading the word ... We now have a Facebook group, called "We Support the Quest for Justice" to increase publicity. There are existing posts on babble and freedominion, on aviation forums, etc. Much media has been contacted, although frankly, I think the issues are too wide-spread for them to cover in two minute clips, etc. Our local news stations and papers (Vancouver Island/Vancouver) have been pretty good about keeping the pubic up to date.
If you know anyone with experience in deep water salvage, we have questions and ideas we would like to bounce around. If you know anyone who might be willing to help with donated/volunteered equipment or a boat (come hang around in an incredibly beautiful place) please let us know ...
Here is what we believe we need - an ROV able to go to depths up to 1000 feet, with a manipulator, real-time camera and sonar. We need more knowledge about dredging - the best way to blow silt at that depth ... We know this should be a relatively easy operation for someone experienced in deep water salvage - ancient wreck guys and treasure hunters and such ... We have a $10,000 "reward" promised by the TSB if we are successful ...
So we are currently doing a last financial drive to enable us to retrieve the elusive engine. Donations are being gratefully accepted by ...
TD Canada Trust
1400 Island Highway
Campbell River, BC
Transit # 9038
Acct #6259768
"Allison Decock In Trust"
Stay Safe,
Kirsten Stevens
[email protected]
Website: http://www.questforjustice.ca
Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/cgaqw/petition.html
We appreciate any help you can provide in spreading the word ... We now have a Facebook group, called "We Support the Quest for Justice" to increase publicity. There are existing posts on babble and freedominion, on aviation forums, etc. Much media has been contacted, although frankly, I think the issues are too wide-spread for them to cover in two minute clips, etc. Our local news stations and papers (Vancouver Island/Vancouver) have been pretty good about keeping the pubic up to date.
If you know anyone with experience in deep water salvage, we have questions and ideas we would like to bounce around. If you know anyone who might be willing to help with donated/volunteered equipment or a boat (come hang around in an incredibly beautiful place) please let us know ...
Here is what we believe we need - an ROV able to go to depths up to 1000 feet, with a manipulator, real-time camera and sonar. We need more knowledge about dredging - the best way to blow silt at that depth ... We know this should be a relatively easy operation for someone experienced in deep water salvage - ancient wreck guys and treasure hunters and such ... We have a $10,000 "reward" promised by the TSB if we are successful ...
So we are currently doing a last financial drive to enable us to retrieve the elusive engine. Donations are being gratefully accepted by ...
TD Canada Trust
1400 Island Highway
Campbell River, BC
Transit # 9038
Acct #6259768
"Allison Decock In Trust"
Stay Safe,
Kirsten Stevens
[email protected]
Website: http://www.questforjustice.ca
Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/cgaqw/petition.html
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
Camera's Make Great Bait
On the afternoon of September 10th, as he drifted over the area alone in a small boat with his camera-bated hook, Kevin Decock caught something very heavy that looked suspiciously like our treasure. Last minute volunteers were found and it was towed closer to shore as it was winched. It broke surface about 9.30 this evening and it was soon confirmed to be the engine of C-GAQW, propeller still intact. By midnight the engine had been pulled aboard.
The engine has now been delivered to the Transportation Safety Board in Vancouver.
We have had a few AMEs have a look, and while there are some ideas we have decided to give the benefit of the doubt to the TSB and wait for their analysis. Mr. Yearwood has told us that the initial analysis will begin on Monday morning with an investigator from another region with whom we have previously dealt and are OK, TC, and other "interested" parties (P&W, Hamilton Standard, etc.). We are currently in discussions to find a designated observer to represent us in the analysis, one that TSB will approve.
In the meantime, I've put together the following slideshow so everyone can play armchair quarterback!
When viewing, please keep in mind that these are photos I have selected because I think they look "suspicious", or may be relevent. We have plenty more photos, as well as lots of Hi8 video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-_dJY_1upo
Newsreels here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxfQnzv8qn0
If you haven't already signed our petition, now would be a great time!
http://www.petitiononline.com/cgaqw/petition.html
On the afternoon of September 10th, as he drifted over the area alone in a small boat with his camera-bated hook, Kevin Decock caught something very heavy that looked suspiciously like our treasure. Last minute volunteers were found and it was towed closer to shore as it was winched. It broke surface about 9.30 this evening and it was soon confirmed to be the engine of C-GAQW, propeller still intact. By midnight the engine had been pulled aboard.
The engine has now been delivered to the Transportation Safety Board in Vancouver.
We have had a few AMEs have a look, and while there are some ideas we have decided to give the benefit of the doubt to the TSB and wait for their analysis. Mr. Yearwood has told us that the initial analysis will begin on Monday morning with an investigator from another region with whom we have previously dealt and are OK, TC, and other "interested" parties (P&W, Hamilton Standard, etc.). We are currently in discussions to find a designated observer to represent us in the analysis, one that TSB will approve.
In the meantime, I've put together the following slideshow so everyone can play armchair quarterback!
When viewing, please keep in mind that these are photos I have selected because I think they look "suspicious", or may be relevent. We have plenty more photos, as well as lots of Hi8 video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-_dJY_1upo
Newsreels here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxfQnzv8qn0
If you haven't already signed our petition, now would be a great time!
http://www.petitiononline.com/cgaqw/petition.html
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
On the 28th of February, 2005, pilot Arnie Feast and his passengers Dave Stevens, Fabian Bedard, Doug and Trevor Decock died following a survivable floatplane accident. All five men were working, or on their way to work and yet no investigation has ever been done into the Occupational Health and Safety hazards which contributed to these five deaths. There has been no coroner’s inquest. There has been no investigation for cause. An RCMP investigation remains open.
On March 2nd, two days before four Alberta RCMP officers were killed in the line of duty,the body of Dave Stevens was recovered barely five miles from the aircraft base. But it was not until the 28th of July, 2005 that the fuselage (without power section) was recovered at the physical, emotional and financial expense of the families of Arnie, Dave, Fabian, Doug and Trevor. The four missing men were not on board. All seatbelts were unbuckled, although life jackets were all still stowed.
Although there was considerable evidence of engine failure on the retrieved wreckage and amongst the witness reports, which led to the ability to locate the aircraft, the Transportation Safety Board did not take possession of the wreckage, or do more than a cursory examination. They concluded their investigation with a letter to the coroner in September 2005, which left the implication that the accident had been the result of weather and pilot error.
Dissatisfied, the families produced their own report, and insisted the TSB take responsibility for recovering the engine and determining the cause of the accident. Instead they offered $10,000 in May 2006, should the families be successful in their privately financed efforts. This has led to understandably considerable delays.
With more pressure from the families, the TSB sent a new investigator to inspect the wreckage in November 2006. By this time considerable corrosion had set in, and, as expected, the results were inconclusive.
As the families continued their research, they discovered that due to jurisdictional access, Worksafe BC was not authorized to take part in the investigation. Rather, under a joint agreement with the Minister of Labour, Transport Canada Civil Aviation is expected to appoint a Minister’s Observer. Yet no Minister’s Observer was assigned to this case. Instead of immediately investigating the company operating the aircraft, Transport Canada began an Enforcement Action for “Unknown” infractions against the missing pilot. It was not until December 2006 that they sent their own inspectors to examine the wreckage. This resulted in an Enforcement Action being initiated against the Approved Maintenance Organization.
After a very expensive recovery effort failed in March 2007, the families began to appeal to, amongst others, the Federal Ministers of Transportation, Labour, Public Safety and Justice. In late May, a petition was begun addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and demanding a Public Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this accident. Having been officially endorsed by the United Steelworkers and the BC Federation of Labour, the petition is being signed on-line and on paper editions across the country.
On September 11, 2007, the families were finally successful in recovering the power section of the aircraft, and duly turned it over to the TSB for examination on September 13th.
Although some assurances have been received, the families no longer trust the officials to “do the right thing”. We have written letters to the Director General of Transport Canada Civl Aviation, Merlin Preuss, and the Director of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Terry Burtch, outlining our expectations. (Available on website)
With this open letter to All Canadians, we appeal to you to help protect the safety of workers and other members of the travelling public by Printing this letter in your newspapers, copying and sending it to all your MPs, MLAs, and all the contacts in your email address book. Demand a public inquiry into this accident.
Please help protect the future safety of your loved ones. Let us learn from this accident, before another unnecessary death takes place.
Visit www.questforjustice.ca for more information, to download a paper copy, or to link to the on-line petition.
Kirsten Stevens, Campbell River BC
Website: www.questforjustice.ca
Petition: www.petitiononline.com/cgaqw/petition.html
On March 2nd, two days before four Alberta RCMP officers were killed in the line of duty,the body of Dave Stevens was recovered barely five miles from the aircraft base. But it was not until the 28th of July, 2005 that the fuselage (without power section) was recovered at the physical, emotional and financial expense of the families of Arnie, Dave, Fabian, Doug and Trevor. The four missing men were not on board. All seatbelts were unbuckled, although life jackets were all still stowed.
Although there was considerable evidence of engine failure on the retrieved wreckage and amongst the witness reports, which led to the ability to locate the aircraft, the Transportation Safety Board did not take possession of the wreckage, or do more than a cursory examination. They concluded their investigation with a letter to the coroner in September 2005, which left the implication that the accident had been the result of weather and pilot error.
Dissatisfied, the families produced their own report, and insisted the TSB take responsibility for recovering the engine and determining the cause of the accident. Instead they offered $10,000 in May 2006, should the families be successful in their privately financed efforts. This has led to understandably considerable delays.
With more pressure from the families, the TSB sent a new investigator to inspect the wreckage in November 2006. By this time considerable corrosion had set in, and, as expected, the results were inconclusive.
As the families continued their research, they discovered that due to jurisdictional access, Worksafe BC was not authorized to take part in the investigation. Rather, under a joint agreement with the Minister of Labour, Transport Canada Civil Aviation is expected to appoint a Minister’s Observer. Yet no Minister’s Observer was assigned to this case. Instead of immediately investigating the company operating the aircraft, Transport Canada began an Enforcement Action for “Unknown” infractions against the missing pilot. It was not until December 2006 that they sent their own inspectors to examine the wreckage. This resulted in an Enforcement Action being initiated against the Approved Maintenance Organization.
After a very expensive recovery effort failed in March 2007, the families began to appeal to, amongst others, the Federal Ministers of Transportation, Labour, Public Safety and Justice. In late May, a petition was begun addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and demanding a Public Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this accident. Having been officially endorsed by the United Steelworkers and the BC Federation of Labour, the petition is being signed on-line and on paper editions across the country.
On September 11, 2007, the families were finally successful in recovering the power section of the aircraft, and duly turned it over to the TSB for examination on September 13th.
Although some assurances have been received, the families no longer trust the officials to “do the right thing”. We have written letters to the Director General of Transport Canada Civl Aviation, Merlin Preuss, and the Director of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Terry Burtch, outlining our expectations. (Available on website)
With this open letter to All Canadians, we appeal to you to help protect the safety of workers and other members of the travelling public by Printing this letter in your newspapers, copying and sending it to all your MPs, MLAs, and all the contacts in your email address book. Demand a public inquiry into this accident.
Please help protect the future safety of your loved ones. Let us learn from this accident, before another unnecessary death takes place.
Visit www.questforjustice.ca for more information, to download a paper copy, or to link to the on-line petition.
Kirsten Stevens, Campbell River BC
Website: www.questforjustice.ca
Petition: www.petitiononline.com/cgaqw/petition.html
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
The follow-up W-Five episode to "A Routine Flight" has been scheduled for December 29th, 2007.
The episode, titled "Kevin's Quest", continues the chronicle of the families' efforts to find answers, focusing on the recent recovery of the engine from C-GAQW, the aircraft whose loss also resulted in the loss of our loved ones, Arnie Feast, Fabian Bedard, Dave Stevens, and Kevins' brothers, Doug and Trevor Decock on the 28th of February, 2005. The story will air the second half of the program.
We hope you will join us in watching "Kevin's Quest".
The episode, titled "Kevin's Quest", continues the chronicle of the families' efforts to find answers, focusing on the recent recovery of the engine from C-GAQW, the aircraft whose loss also resulted in the loss of our loved ones, Arnie Feast, Fabian Bedard, Dave Stevens, and Kevins' brothers, Doug and Trevor Decock on the 28th of February, 2005. The story will air the second half of the program.
We hope you will join us in watching "Kevin's Quest".
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Dark side of the moon
There is one very simple ammendment to the law that could close a loop hole that operators round the world use.
Most laws state
"It is the responsibility of the pilot to ensure that the aircraft is operated safely"
Change it to the following
"It is the responsibility of the pilot and operator to ensure that the aircraft is operated safely"
Now the operators get out of jail free card is blocked, in South Africa the law was changed in this way due to a realisation that often in small companies who hire predominently low time pilots, who are desperate for any job they can get their hands on in order to get experience.
It took the death of nine people in a particularily brutal accident to do this. There should be more support for a pilots decision to say no. In many places if you say no you loose your job and there are ten guys waiting to take your slot.
Most laws state
"It is the responsibility of the pilot to ensure that the aircraft is operated safely"
Change it to the following
"It is the responsibility of the pilot and operator to ensure that the aircraft is operated safely"
Now the operators get out of jail free card is blocked, in South Africa the law was changed in this way due to a realisation that often in small companies who hire predominently low time pilots, who are desperate for any job they can get their hands on in order to get experience.
It took the death of nine people in a particularily brutal accident to do this. There should be more support for a pilots decision to say no. In many places if you say no you loose your job and there are ten guys waiting to take your slot.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 548
Likes: 15
From: US
There was a prosecution of a pilot of ran out of gas in Winnipeg, was this some of the nine deaths you refer to?
In that case I was stunned the operator was not prosecuted for dispatching a plane without enough fuel.
Hate to say it but a few owners in pokey and the insurance refusing to pay up would be all that is required. Pilots sadly are easy and cheap to replace.
20driver
In that case I was stunned the operator was not prosecuted for dispatching a plane without enough fuel.
Hate to say it but a few owners in pokey and the insurance refusing to pay up would be all that is required. Pilots sadly are easy and cheap to replace.
20driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Canada
To investdude:
Whit out recover the engine, how can you say that an engine failure was not a factor? can you say FOR SURE that all possible causes are analyzed?
I pay my taxes, how do you think i am feeling when one of my employee (i am paying your salary) say that is not your job to recover the engine? Get on the phone and get someone to recover it!!!!
We (taxpayers) don't want you well-payed chair-warmer to jump to conclusion, we want the truth!!! if the engine is analyzed and you are right, well you have done your job, until then YOU are the troublemaker!
Whit out recover the engine, how can you say that an engine failure was not a factor? can you say FOR SURE that all possible causes are analyzed?
I pay my taxes, how do you think i am feeling when one of my employee (i am paying your salary) say that is not your job to recover the engine? Get on the phone and get someone to recover it!!!!
We (taxpayers) don't want you well-payed chair-warmer to jump to conclusion, we want the truth!!! if the engine is analyzed and you are right, well you have done your job, until then YOU are the troublemaker!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
Soap Box Cowboy - that is a very interesting alteration to the simple wording that could indeed make all the difference. Certainly here in Canada, even with changes to the criminal code making employers responsible for safety, the almighty dollar can still land on top and leave the pilot (and his pax) on the bottom.
In this case, ostensibly because the pilot's body has never been recovered and therefore there is no confirmed cause of death for the air industry employee, the operational shortfalls which led to these five fatalities have never been identified by the regulators. The law, however, states that the CDN Civil Aviation Safety Inspectors (OH&S) are responsible to investigate for ANYONE who has been allowed access to the a/c by the owner/operator.
TSB does not want to be proven wrong, and Transport Canada doesn't care about small ops.
In this case, ostensibly because the pilot's body has never been recovered and therefore there is no confirmed cause of death for the air industry employee, the operational shortfalls which led to these five fatalities have never been identified by the regulators. The law, however, states that the CDN Civil Aviation Safety Inspectors (OH&S) are responsible to investigate for ANYONE who has been allowed access to the a/c by the owner/operator.
TSB does not want to be proven wrong, and Transport Canada doesn't care about small ops.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
January 23, 2007
Your file: Z 5015-11760 U
RDMIS# 3845196
Mrs. Kirsten Stevens
492 S. McPhedran Road
Campbell River, BC
V9W 5K5
Dear Mrs. Stevens,
I am responding to your e-mail correspondence dated December 5,2007. The department has no further information to provide you beyond what has previously been communicated to you. However, to reiterate:
With regards to your Access to Information request, every effort is made to ensure requested documents are provided should they be in the custody of Transport Canada. The training records of the flight follower are not in our possession, nor are they required to be by regulation or policy.
As stated in previous correspondence, an investigation was initiated with respect to the Canada Labour Code and the Civil Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Program. It is recognized that your husband and the other passengers onboard the aircraft were deemed "persons granted access" to a federally designated workplace, but unfortunately there were no witnesses to this accident, and no determined cause of death of the pilot due to the body never being recovered. (
) As a result of very limited information, the investigation was closed. Since the closing of the investigation, there has been no additional factual information brought forward that would have influenced the decision to close the investigation.
Your recommendation that float plane pilots be required to undertake egress training, will be forwarded to the Secretariat, Civil Aviation Regulatory Advisory Council, on your behalf.
As noted in previous correspondence, a Minister's Observer was and continues to be assigned to this accident. In addition, we also reiterate the company was operating in compliance with CAR 723.16(1)(d).
I would like to take this opportunity to again express our condolences on your loss as a result of this accident and also thank you for sharing your views.
Yours truly,
David J. Nowzek
Regional Director, Civil Aviation
Your file: Z 5015-11760 U
RDMIS# 3845196
Mrs. Kirsten Stevens
492 S. McPhedran Road
Campbell River, BC
V9W 5K5
Dear Mrs. Stevens,
I am responding to your e-mail correspondence dated December 5,2007. The department has no further information to provide you beyond what has previously been communicated to you. However, to reiterate:
With regards to your Access to Information request, every effort is made to ensure requested documents are provided should they be in the custody of Transport Canada. The training records of the flight follower are not in our possession, nor are they required to be by regulation or policy.
As stated in previous correspondence, an investigation was initiated with respect to the Canada Labour Code and the Civil Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Program. It is recognized that your husband and the other passengers onboard the aircraft were deemed "persons granted access" to a federally designated workplace, but unfortunately there were no witnesses to this accident, and no determined cause of death of the pilot due to the body never being recovered. (
) As a result of very limited information, the investigation was closed. Since the closing of the investigation, there has been no additional factual information brought forward that would have influenced the decision to close the investigation.Your recommendation that float plane pilots be required to undertake egress training, will be forwarded to the Secretariat, Civil Aviation Regulatory Advisory Council, on your behalf.
As noted in previous correspondence, a Minister's Observer was and continues to be assigned to this accident. In addition, we also reiterate the company was operating in compliance with CAR 723.16(1)(d).
I would like to take this opportunity to again express our condolences on your loss as a result of this accident and also thank you for sharing your views.
Yours truly,
David J. Nowzek
Regional Director, Civil Aviation
So, if we go down, we go down with guns blazing ...
We are in what we hope will be the final leg before finally getting some (proof positive) answers. In order to help ensure this becomes a reality, we ask for your help in finalizing the petition. If you have not already done so, please sign and pass on to anyone else you think may be interested in our cause. If you have been collecting signatures on a paper petition, please contact me at [email protected], or via facebook, as soon as possible, to arrange for their return.
Thanks all and, as always, stay safe.
http://www.petitiononline.com/cgaqw/petition.html