Comair 5191 Crew Memorial Fund
 

I have seen people asking in the forums, and I have had several crews ask me about financial aid to the families. So here is one:

Comair Angels
77 Comair Blvd.
Erlanger, KY. 41018

Please specifiy that you want your gift to go the Flight 5191 Crew Memorial Fund.

Thank you again to all of the support, well wishers, and prayers that have come in these forums, and while at work. I know that those thanks also come from the entire Comair family.

Pilotguy, that is wonderful that you posted the crew memorial fund info. I am so saddened by the tragedy. I was born and raised in Cincy, and flew Comair more than once.

I hope this doesn't seem inappropriate to ask, but I've wondered if airlines have some sort of compensation or life insurance policy for their flight crews who die in the line of duty. I can't help but think about their widows and children left behind. My mom still lives in Cincy and told me that the crew was based there and that the captain had a wife and 2 very young babies. I've always heard that it's difficult for pilots to get affordable life insurance, so I was just wondering if airlines have any sort of life insurance or financial compensation for their crews, especially when they die during duty. As a mother, it's hard for me to get out of my mind the picture of the Captain's wife and her 2 infants left behind to fend on their own. Can't imagine how painful it would be to lose the love of your life, as well as the father of your two children.

Skygirl,

The levels of insurance and other assistance varies greatly from company to company. IIRC, my old airline (ACA/IDE) provided $50,000 in Life insurance for flight crews. Above and beyond that we had to enroll in an ALPA sponsored insurance program, which covered the full range of possibilities (except suicide). It was relatively resonable.

In addition, the MEC for the our pilots union started a pilot mutual assistance fund, which collected a few dollars from each pilot paycheck (voluntarily). Monies from this fund were used at the discretion of the MEC to cover accidental deaths (fortunately we had none), major medical issues (supplemental income) and other misfortunes that might have fallen on our pilots.

In addition to the crew memorial fund, National City bank has established a fund to assist the families of Comair Flight 5191 and donated $5,000 to the fund.

Donations may be made at more than 160 branches in Kentucky and Cincinnati. Checks should be made to "5191 Care Fund c/o United Way of the Bluegrass".

National City will direct all contributions to United Way of the Bluegrass and will earmark it for agencies that will assist the victims’ families.

Here is the info on the fund for CW Fortney, the Air Tran jumseater who died on Comair 5191:

For those of you who have had the privilege to have known First Officer Clarence "C.W." Fortney, you know how important this fund is. C.W. is survived by his loving wife, Sarah and his 16 month old son, Calvin James.

Donations will kindly be accepted via mail or in person to the address listed below. Wire transfer is also available; please call the NPA office at 404/559-7700 for wiring instructions.


Wings Financial


300 Galleria Parkway, Suite 100


Atlanta, Georgia 30339

Account Name: Benefit of the family of Clarence "C.W." Fortney

Account Identification Number: 1131107

If you have already mailed a donation to the NPA offices or you have given your donation to the chief pilot's office, the NPA will ensure that your donation is deposited into this savings account.

Thank you for all your continued support for CW and his family.

Skygirl,

Nice to see you back here. I hoped FlyerJosh answered all of your questions.

FlyerJosh, Thank you for all of the additional info. Very much appreciated.