I worked for Flight Express in '98, right after they opened the MKC runs. I was EXR-720 out to Witchita, Dodge City and Liberal in Kansas. You're right, it was ridiculously dangerous, a fact only obvious to me in retrospect. Thinking back on the 5 months I did that run, I had 2 alternators fail, 3 emergency gear extends, and one emergency return to field after takeoff for smoke in the cockpit. And once, I was the only non-turbine single engine plane in line for takeoff in a snowstorm at ICT. Any of those flights could have killed me, so I too grieve the loss of your friend. There but for the Grace of God go I.