On May 22, a Cessna Citation 550 crashed in San Diego, California. On May 25, the San Diego Medical Examiner confirmed that among the aircraft’s passengers was Kendall Fortner, the daughter of long time ARSA member, director, multiple term past president, and family friend of the association’s team Gary Fortner.

ARSA’s condolences are with the Fortner family, which has committed its time and care to association’s good work since its founding in 1984. From Bill Fortner’s pioneering investment in an organization dedicated to the maintenance community to his son Gary’s focused commitment to its long-term success (and Gary’s wife Kristin’s constant good nature), the team’s hearts are heavy to learn of their loss. That their mourning results from an incident in the very industry to which they’ve given their personal and professional lives demands that we all remain committed to the capability and good faith of each airman, technician, and support professional on whom the safety of the aerospace world depends.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

– John Gillespie Magee Jr.

The family has asked for privacy during this time; ARSA will collect any thoughts or condolences shared via email.

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