in days of old
The Citation 1 was the only poor mans business jet, the Lear was the speed freaks killing machine. The Citation 1 was designed as the natural progression in the upgrade for owner pilots, and those who employed a pilots friend.
I spent many happy hours in the RHS of C1 and eventually became LHS on C2.
The straight wing, and the Cessna panel, made transition for prop owners to transition to jets very easy.
Yes some owners have died, in Citations, but as many professionals as well as private pilots.
The accident at Biggin Hill is a classic example of a "professional" pilot accident.
The arguments these days of props v jets is totally in a different generation.
glf