For Shima: I miss you already

[mar]

I just received one of those phone calls that feels like a clamp on the head and a scythe through the gut.

I first met Shima when she moved to Bethel, Alaska to fly 135. She was awfully low time but smart, charming and persistent.

She eventually got a job flying 207s, then 1900s, then Caravans and C406s.

The last time I saw Shima was late July in Barrow. Her company turns our flights up there and we had to spend a week shuttling fuel oil. One night a whole group of us were able to have dinner together. Fresh caribou, salmon and halibut. We caught up on old times and talked about what's next in this maddening industry.

The next day I had some free time so I rode along on one of her flights. We flew southwest along the coast looking for whales and walrus. We found about 300 walrus sunning themselves on the ice about a mile off shore. There were whales too.

I took pictures of Shima, ever-humble and soft-spoken. She protested the whole time. I told her she could give the pictures to her mother who would be visiting from Japan soon.

After I got home, I forgot about the pictures. I never developed them--and it's tearing my heart apart that I'll never be able to show Shima what a beautiful, vibrant, hard-working and dedicated woman she was.

It's tearing my heart apart and I don't know what else to do or say except that I already miss her.

For Shima.
Peace.

 

[OtterFO]

slickmagneto,


There was an accident today, on the North Slope of Alaska, of which the causes are unclear. But the immediate result is very clear. Aviation lost a capable, competent and professional pilot. Some of us lost a great friend and trusted ally who made this bleak wilderness a little more colorful. Unfortunately we may never know what caused this accident, because the wreckage is in the Arctic Ocean.


mar,

As you can imagine, its been a really rough day up here. I’d sure like to hear from you..

 

[A Squared]

Slickmagneto,

thanks for removing the post

mar, I'll give you a call

 

[Buzo]

Mar,

Definately a very sad day. I never met her, but I fly for the same company. I found out just before departure. From what I have heard, it is a tremendous loss. She will be greatly missed by all of her friends and coworkers.

 

[flx757]

mar,

Although it's been many years since I've been gone from the North Slope, one never really seems to "leave" that place.

Nothing I could say would be appropriate or adequate, so I'll just wish you the same thing that you wished Shima. Peace.

Also to Shima...

 

[Typhoon1244]

Mar, nobody can imagine what you're going through unless they've been there.

I have. I'm very sorry for you...and for all of those who cared for Shima.

Get those pictures developed. Her family will appreciate them...and so will you.

Now, Slickmagneto, people who've experienced a loss aren't the most eloquent posters. Why don't you go back and edit your response?

 

[Dash8]

i can't speak for slick but i didn't realize that shima was deceased it isn't really specified in the original message....not until a later message when otto mentioned the accident did i realize the purpose/intent of mars original post, it is truly a sad day and i feel for mar, loss is a terrible thing.
but don't jump all over slick when he may not have understood the point of the message just like i had

 

[Buzo]

Another sad note about this accident was the passenger. She had one passenger aboard, and it just happened to be her mother who was visiting from Japan.

 

[supsup]

Shima

I had the honor of spending my first couple of years in college with shima. I remember her english was pretty rusty when she first arrived but her desire to learn, positive attitude and her smile is what I remember right now. I knew her mostly as an a acquaintance and fellow student but right now I feel like I've lost a close friend. My condolences to those of you who worked and knew Shima.

supsup

 

[slickmagneto]

For Mar and Shima

Mar, I sincerely apologize for my post. Iwas not aware of your loss. Please accept my deepest apology and condolences for Shima, her mother, friends and anyone who may have been touched by her presence.

 

[Timebuilder]

Sorry to hear this, Mar...

I was hoping that you would stick your head in here and make a post once in a while, but not under these circumstances.

It seems several of us have lost friends recently while they were flying. Let's agree to live well, and to be dilligent while we live.

Don't be a stranger.

 

[mar]

The so-called virtual community

First, I'd like to say thanks to everyone. And even though I was the one that started the thread and even though all of the responses were addressed to me I still feel like this is for Shima.

What's more, I think she'd really be uncomfortable with all of the attention and the compliments but I also think she deserves every single one of them.

As for myself, the very first thing I did last night after I got the phone call was come here and make the post. Even though I had essentially stopped posting I felt like I needed to express myself to others from similiar backgrounds. I needed a quick, virtual community.

I really appreciated the emails and phone calls.

And it made me realize how much I miss the camaraderie and rapport of fellow aviators. Sorry if I seem so introspective right now.

I just want to tell Slickmagneto that his apology is accepted and I can understand how he may have gotten the wrong impression from my post.

I just felt as if, at that moment, the world and everyone in it paused and turned towards Barrow, Alaska and who could not realize that fate exacted its toll on a gentle woman with a sweet sense of humor.

Peace

 

[Smoking Man]

mar,

I offer you Shima and everyone affected by this tragic loss, my heart felt condolences.

Peace for all.

 

[WrightAvia]

According to the FAA accident prelims, she was flying an F406 Caravan II.

For more information, including pictures of F406's and performance specifications, use this link to an aircraft dealers website.

http://www.bobcroweaircraft.com/reims1.htm

IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 6591L Make/Model: F406 Description: F406 Caravan 2
Date: 08/17/2003 Time:

Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed

LOCATION
City: BARROW State: AK Country: US

DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED EN ROUTE INTO PEARL BAY UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, TWO
PERSONS ON BOARD ARE ASSUMED FATAL, 30 SSE BARROW, AK

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 2 Fat: 2 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk: Y
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

WEATHER: BRW METAR 171952Z 060010KT 10SM OVC020 03/01 A2977

OTHER DATA
Activity: Business Phase: Unknown Operation: Air Taxi (On Demand)

Departed: BARROW, AK Dep Date: Dep. Time:
Destination: WAINWRIGHT, AK Flt Plan: UNK Wx Briefing: U
Last Radio Cont: UNK
Last Clearance: UNK

FAA FSDO: FAIRBANKS, AK (AL01) Entry date: 08/18/2003

 

[777Efoh]

Condolences to all who know her.

Did she ever work for Horizon Air? I ask cuz I used to know a Japanese female pilot there but can't recall her name....it's been many years since.

 

[Buzo]

She flew for Alaska Central Express, for a year and her existing company. She had plans on flying for JAL.

 

[FL240]

I had the opportunity to know Shima while she was in school & flight instructing in Omaha. She was a great person to be around and a very sharp pilot. I have not seen her for quite awhile however, there is no doubt she will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to all her family and friends.

 

[idrvplanes]

Shima I will miss you very much too and I now feel bad that I never got to talk to you again. I always thought I would send that email or call next week. Well now its to late and I never will be able to tell you what a great time I had flying with you. Trying to go to MSP or the four of us going to MCI in that POS 172. Or when we landed in the little airport in Iowa on my long crosscountry and found out that we had to pump the gas and you said you would do it because you were the instructor. Ah good times... From your worst student good bye my friend, may you be in peace

 

[Buzo]

The Company is suggesting to all the stations to hold a memorial on Sept. 2nd. Check with the station near you for times and info.

 

[mar]

One year later.

And I still miss her.

I still think of her.

For Shima.

 

[Rally]

Any ideas on happened? NTSB says collision with water for undetermined reasons? Wierd for a experienced pilot.

 

[flx757]

And I still miss her.

I still think of her.

For Shima.

And one year later I still wish you both the same thing I did then...

Peace...

 

[RightPedal]

Although the name may not be Shima, I to still bleed from the loss of my best friend one year ago this coming September 12th. I find myself watching the calendar being ever cognizant that the day is approaching and it seams like twenty-five years sense we last spoke. Will I ever be healed?, I think not.
My friend Blake was like one of my own children. He was the same age as my oldest son. Blake lost his life flying a turbine airtractor doing we love most in life. His memory lives but my days are empty without Him.

 

[OtterFO]

MAR,

I knew the anniversary was comming up, but didn't realize it was upon us.

Nami and her father came back to town this last month and there was a salvage barge in the vaciniy of the crash site. But the currents are pretty strong in the Peard Bay area, also the underwater visibilty is pretty poor.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Mar,

The only anniversary of the death of someone close I have is my mothers and she killed herself when I was 6 years old.....so I don't know how you feel. However, let me say that reading your posts over the last couple of years I have come to have great respect for you as a person and as a pilot and to me that says a lot about Shima. God bless.

 

[bobbysamd]

My condolences for your loss. She obviously meant a lot to you for you to take the time to post.

 

[mar]

Some thoughts

Rumpletumbler--Thanks for your kind words. I hope you have found some consolation too.

OtterFO--I knew that Shima's family would come back for the anniversary. I met her father and sister at her memorial in ANC last year. I also knew of the further plans to locate the wreckage. I only wish them the best and I'm sorry I couldn't be there this year.

It just weighs on me still.

I did finally develop those picture from our flight together. I'm proud to say that the station in BRW had one enlarged and framed and it's hanging behind the counter.

I kept a couple posted on my locker at work.

Rally--No one will know for sure what happened. I think it's reasonable to assume she was spotting whales. But I personally don't think that tells the whole story because when I flew with her and she showed me the whales she was very cognizant not to fly too low. Her concern was for the locals in the plane who hunted whales and considered "buzzing" to be harassment.

She was very conscientious and very methodical. It's still a complete mystery to me. And I suppose that's why it hangs in the back of my head.

Anyway, I just didn't want to let the day pass unnoticed.

flx757--Thank you again.
Right Pedal--I hope you also find some solace.

 

[Flywrite]

Still a very touching thread one year later.

Many of us probably know someone who has lost their life in an aircraft accident. Those who don't will. This sorrow, like the beauty we see each day in the skies and the pride we feel in doing our job well binds us together, whether it be in person or in this virtual home.

We rant about each other's pay, politics, work rules, and anything else we can think of, but at the end of the day we know we are all in this together and we know that there always have been, and always will be those of us who don't make it home.

You guys and gals be careful tomorrow.

 

[JAFI]

Mar, it may be little comfort to you, but in this business the chances are you will lose some one close to you. I have lost 4 friends in aircraft accidents. I like to remember the times we flew to gether, fought over who was less tired to make the last landing of a long series of trips, sitting at their dinner table, laughing with their family, makeing them part of our family. And I do miss them. I like to think as long as you remember, they are still with you.

It's not easy, but hang in there.

JAFI

 

[Cat Driver]

Ernest Gann best described it as " Fate is the hunter "

I have been in this business now for over fifty one years and never get used to a loss of a fellow pilot, and there have been far far to many.

We sometimes lose sight of the important things such as caring for others until it is to late.

Duke Ellagant is one of my best friends and I am sure most of you read his stories and will relate to how he is sharing his life with us even as he faces the end of his .

If only I have the courage that the Duke has when my time comes it will be because of his example.

We never know when fate will decide our time here, it is something to think about.

Cat Driver