Flight 261
Sponsored By: Alaska AFA
Flight 1866
Cathy Beach*
Debbi Berg
Pat Hilla
Patty Kessner
Captain Dick Adams
First Officer Red Beach*
Second Officer Jim Carson
*Cathy and Red Beach were married.
"The sadness never goes away, however, having the crew acknowledged is appreciated greatly."
- Most sincerely, Kay Adams Reeves (wife of Dick Adams)
Captain Ted Thompson was at the controls of Alaska Airlines Flight 261, when it tragically went down on January 31.
Ted joined Jet America Airlines in 1982. I had the unique opportunity of flying with him from 1985-1989 as a Flight Attendant. He was probably the most popular Pilot we had and I know I was always thrilled when I saw his name on the crew sheet.
He was also a check airman and instructor Pilot for Jet America and was instrumental in my continuing on to become an Airline Pilot.
With always a helping hand, he exemplified what a professional Pilot should be. I can't think of a more competent Pilot I would want at the controls during an emergency procedure and am quite sure he did his best to rectify 261's problem.
He was my mentor and friend and the aviation community as a whole suffered a tragic loss with his death.
God be with you Ted, Goodbye.
First Officer Robert McCartney
This is a place to honor our fallen and comfort those who remember. We invite you to go to our Guest Book to post a message or memory. Also please feel free to email any photo for our Photo Gallery to melanie@alaskasfallen.info
We Flight Attendants are hosts on our plane. Being personable and caring are among our finest traits. These traits were prominent in our colleagues aboard Flight 261 and Flight 1866.
Sarah Pearson’s gregarious nature made her popular on the plane as well as in her local community. She was lovingly described as "outgoing and fun."
James Ryan knew how to make everyone feel included. He was the "life of the party" and had a wide circle of friends. One Flight Attendant recently noted "I miss you, James," a simple heartfelt sentiment written as the 10th anniversary approaches.
Craig Pulanco and his partner Paul (also onboard as a non-rev) were described as constantly giving to others. "They were kindred spirits. They were both compassionate and caring. If you knew them, you loved them," said Paul's brother, Steve Clarke
We live to travel and we travel for our livelihood. As Jamie Shanks says of her sister-in-law Allison "She loved her job, loved to travel, loved the camaraderie of being a senior flight attendant." However what she loved most was coming home to her daughter. "She was an incredible woman, an incredible mother."
We like meeting new people. Kristin Mills, described by many as "the sweetest person" loved being around people. According to her father-in-law, Jack Mills, "She cherished her job, loved absolutely everything about it. She was always happy, and she was one of those people you always loved to be around. A wonderful, happy, beautiful person."
We love seeing those familiar crew members. One can only imagine how delighted Flight Attendant Cathy Beach and her husband First Officer Red Beach were to be scheduled to work together on Flight 1866. We take pride in remembering Captain Ted Thompson and First Officer Bill Tansky. ''They showed unbelievable professionalism. Every one of us who flies has had to look in the depths of our souls and wonder if we could do as well and as calmly and as bravely as they did that day, "says fellow ALPA member and Northwest Captain Duane Woerth of Tansky and Thompson,
We admire their professionalism. Our Flight Attendants maintained their composure and professionalism in the most harrowing moments.
This page was created by the Alaska AFA to celebrate the lives of our fallen Flight Attendants who we were honored to call co-workers and friends.
