Bruce Kennedy, 68, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Quest Aircraft, died in the crash of his Cessna 182 near the Cashmere (Wash.) Airport on Thursday. Kennedy had a long career with Alaska Airlines and retired as its CEO in 1991. He was on his way to Wenatchee to see his grandchildren when the plane went down in a high school parking lot while attempting to land. The airplane hit a truck and a tree before catching fire next to a house. No one on the ground was hurt. Weather was reported to be mostly clear with light winds at the time of the crash. Kennedy worked for Alaska Airlines and its predecessor for 32 years and is credited with the modern expansion that turned it into an international carrier. He took early retirement in 1991 to pursue humanitarian causes. According to a news release from his family, he was especially fond of his involvement with Quest Aircraft, which is on the cusp of certification for its turboprop Kodiak bush plane. The Kodiak will be sold in the general market and profits from those sales will be used to donate aircraft to humanitarian organizations flying into remote areas around the world.
Quest Aircraft Chairman Killed In Crash
Key Takeaways:
- Bruce Kennedy, 68, Chairman of Quest Aircraft and former CEO of Alaska Airlines, died in the crash of his Cessna 182 near Cashmere, Washington.
- Kennedy, credited with the modern expansion of Alaska Airlines, was attempting to land when his plane crashed into a high school parking lot; no one on the ground was injured.
- He was deeply involved with Quest Aircraft, whose upcoming Kodiak bush plane would generate profits to donate aircraft for humanitarian causes globally.
See a mistake? Contact us.
