Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash
The Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash was a fatal aviation accident on October 20, 1977, involving a chartered Convair CV-240 carrying the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash was a fatal aviation accident on October 20, 1977, involving a chartered Convair CV-240 carrying the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The aircraft crashed near Gillsburg, Mississippi, killing six people and injuring 20 others.
Background
Lynyrd Skynyrd was travelling on a chartered Convair CV-240 while on tour in 1977. The flight was en route to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when the accident occurred near its destination.
Crash and casualties
The aircraft went down in a wooded area near Gillsburg, Mississippi, killing six people on board. The deaths included prominent band members and both pilots, while 20 others survived.
Investigation and cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause was fuel exhaustion and loss of power from both engines due to crew inattention to fuel supply. Inadequate flight planning and a right-engine malfunction were listed as contributing factors.
Aftermath
The crash became one of the best-known tragedies in rock music history. It ended the original era of Lynyrd Skynyrd and had a lasting impact on the band’s members, survivors, and legacy.
Key facts
- The crash occurred on October 20, 1977, near Gillsburg, Mississippi.
- Six people died, including lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines.
- The NTSB cited fuel exhaustion due to crew inattention as the probable cause.
- Twenty people survived the crash, many with serious injuries.
- The crash ended the original era of Lynyrd Skynyrd and became a major event in rock history.
The crash is of interest to Canadian readers as a major event in rock history and in the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose music has had a long audience in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
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References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynyrd_Skynyrd_plane_crashSupports: Date, location, aircraft type, fatalities, survivors, and NTSB probable cause.
- HISTORY — https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/october-20/three-members-of-the-southern-rock-band-lynyrd-skynyrd-die-in-a-mississippi-plane-crashSupports: Crash date, route, deaths, and survivor count.
- Rolling Stone — https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/remembering-lynyrd-skynyrds-deadly-1977-plane-crash-2-195371/Supports: Crash details, casualties, and NTSB finding on fuel exhaustion.