Flight Attendant’s Life-Saving Professionalism to be Honored at NBAA-BACE

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced that it will bestow its Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement to flight attendant Sydney Bosmans, whose training, quick thinking and professionalism saved the lives of two passengers in the aftermath of a fatal business aircraft accident in Naples, FL.

Bosmans will receive the award at a special reception held during the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) taking place Oct. 22-24 in Las Vegas, NV.

On Feb. 9, 2024, a Bombardier Challenger 604 en route from Columbus, OH, impacted a highway and noise barrier wall following a reported dual-engine flameout on short final to Naples Airport (APF). The accident claimed the lives of the flight deck crew.

Immediately recognizing the main cabin door was stuck due to impact forces, and the over-wing exit was blocked by post-crash fire, Bosmans directed the passengers toward a small, externally accessible baggage door at the rear of the cabin

After jumping out and landing underneath the aircraft’s left engine nacelle, the three exited the wreckage and fled to safety moments before a secondary explosion enveloped the aft fuselage in flames. The accident remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

“Faced with a harrowing, life-threatening crisis, Sydney Bosmans maintained calm and clear thinking and drew upon her professional training to quickly identify a means of escape that saved three lives,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Safety is at the forefront of our industry, and Sydney’s actions demonstrate how safety is also the paramount duty for all cabin personnel. We are pleased to present her with NBAA’s Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement.”

Created by the NBAA Safety Committee in 2020, the NBAA Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement recognizes those individuals whose substantial actions avoided injury, loss of life or catastrophic business aircraft damage.

NBAA-BACE, taking place Oct.22-24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport (HND), is the world’s most powerful business aviation event of the year. Learn more about NBAA-BACE.