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The former co-owner of a skydiving business that lost an aircraft and five onboard in a fatal crash has set up a confidential counselling and support service to help others involved in aviation accidents and broader personal counselling.
Angela Garvey said she hoped Navigating Aviation would help professionals and their family members deal with the unique challenges encountered in aviation.
“Our accident, aside from being a horrible tragedy for everyone involved, was also a ‘stop-moment’ for me,” she said. “It forced me to reflect on how I was living my life – my relationships, my self-worth, and my standards.
“At the time, I felt like there was nobody who understood what I was going through, and in aviation, seeking professional help didn’t seem like an option.”
The incident occurred in January 2006 and saw one aircraft flying for Garvey’s skydiving business – a Cessna 206 – experience a loss of power on take-off.
Seven people were on the flight, including the pilot, instructors, and tandem passengers, and five died.
After the accident, the business and personal partnership broke down. Garvey stopped flying and worked in corporate aviation for over a decade but said she struggled with the grief associated with the accident and her loss of identity as a pilot.
“It took many years, but when I finally reached out to the right people, I was able to move forward, make better choices, live a healthy and purposeful life and return to flying. I want others to know they don’t have to do this alone.
“The main purpose of setting up Navigating Aviation has always been to ensure that people within the aviation community have access to a confidential support service that understands the unique challenges of our industry.”
Garvey will be appearing on an upcoming episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast to talk about her service, and you can find out more information here.
