Business aviation charity Sky Hope Network is collecting donations for the families of nine industry workers who were killed in a terrorist attack on September 18 in Afghanistan. Employed by South Africa-based ACS/Balmoral Central Contracts, the victims were three pilots, five mechanics and a customer service representative, who were targeted by a suicide car bomber as their minivan stopped at a gas station on its way to the airport in Kabul.

ACS/Balmoral provides contract air transport in support of embassies and relief programs such as USAID, using turboprops such as Beechcraft King Airs and 1900Ds.

Sky Hope, which was founded in 2010, strives to use business aviation to solve problems during emergencies and urgent situations, said charity president Robin Eissler. “We hope that the business aviation community will gather to support these families of the victims after this terrible disaster,” she told AIN, noting that money raised will be used for their medical and education financial support.