Flight 293 Remembrance Act

This proposal, called the Flight 293 Remembrance Act, would honor service members who died in non‑combat military plane crashes by creating a public database and giving their families better support. Within one year of becoming law, the Defense Department, working with the VA, must identify these crashes (labeled “Operational Loss/Non‑War Loss”), starting with 1984 records and using other sources for earlier years, and publish the names, ranks, and service details of those who died.

Families would get help learning about and applying for benefits, including financial help, counseling, and survivor benefits, and be connected to peer support networks. A dedicated point of contact at the Defense Department would guide families through the process, share updates on new programs, legal changes, and recovery efforts, and coordinate with the VA and local groups. The department may consult outside experts, must report to Congress within two years on progress and family satisfaction, and must follow federal anti‑discrimination rules, with enforcement through agency regulations.

• Who is affected: Families of service members who died in non‑combat military plane crashes; the public (via the database).
• What changes: A public database; hands‑on help for families; a single point of contact; coordination with VA and local groups; required progress report; anti‑discrimination protections fileciteturn0file1turn0file2.
• When: Database work due within 1 year of enactment; report due within 2 years fileciteturn0file1turn0file2.