Remembering Beverly Eckert and the Victims of Continental Flight 3407
February 12th is when we remember VOICES co-founder Beverly Eckert and the other 49 individuals and unborn child who perished when Continental Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York in 2009.
Beverly was traveling to Buffalo to attend a ceremony at Canisius High School, where she was going to award a scholarship in memory of her husband Sean Rooney, who died on September 11th, 2001. To see the WIVB-TV- Channel 4 one-hour special honoring the memory of those who perished, click here.
"I first met Beverly shortly after 9/11 when I began holding meetings in my home for families living in Connecticut. Along with other family we began advocating on a number of issues, including the creation of a proper memorial at the World Trade Center Site in New York City and the establishment of the 9/11 Commission to investigate government failures. As members of the 12-person 9/11 Family Steering Committee our advocacy work led to sweeping intelligence reforms. Beverly was articulate and enthusiastic as she immersed herself in issues she felt passionate about. Everyone who knew her was impressed by her energy and grateful for her commitment to making a difference. Beverly is sorely missed." - Reflections from Mary Fetchet
After the unfathomable loss of Beverly, her sisters Karen Eckert and Susan Bourque followed in her footsteps by dedicating their efforts to advocating for airline safety reforms. Along with other family members, they established the Families of Continental Flight 3407 group: "As a group we don't ever wish to see another family have to endure the pain and suffering we have endured and are therefore committed to promoting positive changes related to aviation safety." Inspired by Beverly's advocacy work, yet realistic about the time and energy it would require, they embarked upon a decade of endless trips to Washington, DC advocating for legislation to implement aviation reforms. Their efforts ultimately prompted Congress to pass the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, the most comprehensive aviation safety legislative reform in history. Their work continues to this day, as they push for effective and complete implementation of new safety regulations. We remember Beverly and all those lost on Flight 3407 and we thank their family members for their tireless efforts in improving airline safety that benefits us all.
Statement of the Family Steering Committee
On this anniversary of Beverly Eckert's death, we remember and honor our friend as an energetic and dedicated activist – guided by a passion to make things right. Beverly’s articulate and concise statement of our objectives and her fearless advocacy contributed to the success of our campaign for a 9/11 Commission and subsequent passage of legislation based on the Commission’s recommendations to improve national security. She was a bright light focused on helping others. Beverly is truly missed.
Carol Ashley
Kristin Breitweiser
Patty Casazza
Mary Fetchet
Bill Harvey
Mindy Kleinberg
Carie Lemack
Monica Gabrielle
Mindy Kleinberg
Sally Regenhard
Robin Wiener
Lorie Van Auken
For Information about the 9/11 Family Steering Committee click here.
“4 The Families” Commemoration Video
Four days after a plane crashed in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence, New York, claiming the lives of all forty-nine people on board and a man on the ground, WIVB-TV- Channel 4 presented a one hour special honoring the memory of those who perished.
“4 The Families” included eulogies from relatives and friends and the latest details on the crash investigation.
Colgan Air Flight 3407 was on its way from Newark, New Jersey to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Colgan Air was a regional company servicing Continental Airlines.
Shortly before the crash, the crew had reported a buildup of ice on the aircraft's wings and windshield. The Bombardier Q400 two-engine turbo-prop failed to recover from a stall and crashed into a house on Long Street in Clarence Center. Three people were in the house. A mother and her daughter were able to escape. The father did not survive. The accident occurred at 10:17 pm, about five miles from the Buffalo airport.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board would later attribute the crash to pilot error. Instead of pointing the nose of the plane downward and applying full power, the proper reaction to an aerodynamic stall, Captain Marvin Renslow pulled back on the control column pointing the nose upward causing the plane to pitch and roll. It quickly lost altitude and crashed.
Among those killed in the crash were Allison Des Forges, a human rights investigator and an expert on the Rwandan genocide, Beverly Eckert, named co-chair of the 9/11 Family Steering Committee after her husband was killed in the September 11 attacks, Susan Wehle, the first American female Jewish Renewal cantor, and jazz musicians Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett, who were en route to a concert with Chuck Mangione and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.