Rivera was 43 years old. These include choosing a middle seat in the back rows, bracing for impact, and wearing tight-fitting clothing. Six members of the legendary Southern rock band, including frontman Ronnie Van Zant, died when their decades-old leased plane plowed into the swamps of Mississippi after running out of fuel. Denver (born John Henry Deutschendorf Jr.) had been flying a Rutan Long-EZ on the Pacific Coast near Pacific Grove, California, when the airplane plunged into the ocean. Moreover, major lacerations and crushing can occur as well (via NATO). The plane's wreckage was found near Iturbide, Mexico. A 1950 crash in London (also posted at the National Library of Medicine) found that the injuries the victims sustained, including fractured skulls, spines, ruptured hearts, and more, caused immediate loss of consciousness or death. Theories abound about what happened. Just before the crash, she had completed a concert. The famed pop singer of hits such as "Rocky Mountain High" died when he plowed his private plane into California's Monterey Bay. His wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and her sister Lauren Bessette were also on board when it went down off the shore of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. One of his band members survived; Redding was just 26 years old. The singer behind "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" was on board a chartered Beechcraft aircraft when it crashed into a tree on take off in Natchitoches, Louisiana, on Sept. 20 1973. The number of times famous people use private jets per year is statistically higher than the average user of private jets, increasing their likelihood of dying in a plane crash. However, the plane and bodies ofKennedy Jr, his wife, and his sister-in-lawwere later located on July 21. Mexican authorities confirmed that the wreckage of the small plane had been found in Nuevo Leon state, and there were no survivors among the seven people believed to be on board. Jenni died at the age of 42. Now for some of the non statistical potential explanations: The quality of pilots for these famous people is lower, The pilots are forced to fly through worse weather conditions that the average private jet would be required to so that these famous people can keep their schedule (assuming of course that they force the pilots to fly through worse conditions more than a corporate person would). The two were on a sight-seeing trip before a scheduled concert. American Airlines flight 965 crashed into a mountain in Colombia and Dussan and her father were two of four survivors. Valens was only 17, and Richardson was 24. In addition, the pilot had severe coronary artery disease, with The Montreal Gazette stating that lawyers for the pilot believed he suffered a heart attack, which Croce's wife and family disputed. flights become a regular part of life for traveling famous people, as they move from . A private plane claimed another life when the famous baseball pitcher Roy Halladay, age 40, died in a plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico today (Nov. 7), according to news sources. Christian diet guru Gwen Lara, her actor husband Joe and five others were killed on May 29, 2021, after their private jet crashed into a Tennessee lake near Nashville, according to multiple reports. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. The group had been traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to play a concert at Louisiana State University. Jan. 26, 2020 4:56 PM PT. The plane crashed into the ocean shortly after takeoff from Puerto Rico with Clemente and three others onboard. SingerTroy Gentry and Eddie Montgomery made up the country music duo Montgomery Gentry and scored numerous hits like "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," "Something to be Proud Of," and "Roll with Me." Interested in music, Nelson launched a musical career, with hits that included Hello Mary Lou and Garden Party. He was killed on December 31, 1985, when his airplane, a 1944 Douglas DC-3 that Nelson had purchased for use as a tour airplane, was attempting an emergency landing due to an interior fire. Halladay won two Cy Young awards, pitched a perfect game and, in the postseason, pitched a no-hitter. With hectic schedules and numerous professional commitments, famous people from all walks of life are required to fly regularly. According to The New York Times, a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft Holly boarded crashed into a farm minutes after departing from Iowa's Mason City Airport in Iowa. EDIT: http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Entertainment/banda-supestar-jenni-rivera-dies-plane-crash/story?id=17919621#.UMZTHIPedNo, http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Entertainment/banda-supestar-jenni-rivera-dies-plane-crash/story?id=17919621#.UMZTHIPedNo. The pilot of his chartered Beechcraft E18 was Robert N. Elliott, who had to make most of the three-mile trip to the airport on foot because he couldnt get a cab. Halladay an . The cause was put down as pilot error; Brown might have experienced night blindness after taking off under bright lights and then ascending into fog and darkness. The baseball legend died on Dec. 31, 1972, while he was en route to help Nicaraguan earthquake victims. In the event a plane crash does occur, it is always tragic when lives are lost. In 1944, the ber-popular bandleader and musician was traveling from England to France to give a performance for the troops that had just liberated Paris from Nazi occupation. Weary of the road, he was eager to get to the next and final stop on the tour in Sherman, Texas. Surviving band members suffered serious injuries and years of rehabilitation. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. As perBillboard, there was speculation about why the plane went down by the Mexican General Civil Aviation Administration,including the conditions of the plane, with it being over 43 years old, and the ages of the pilot and co-pilot. As soon as the helicopter took off, the pilot reported engine problems and decided to perform an autorotation. On top of that, Aaliyah showcased her acting chops in "Romeo Must Die.". Jordan, who wrote "Jim Reeves: His Untold Story," detailed the crash and shared that Reeves was flying during a thunderstorm and lost visual reference. However, an explosion would mean a death that was rapid and pain-free. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. A look at some of them: Nick Adenhart, 22: The Angels right-hander was killed April 9, 2009, when his car was struck by a drunk driver only hours after pitching for the team. On July 16, 1999, 38-year-old Kennedy, a licensed pilot, plus his 33-year-old wife Bessette-Kennedy and her sister Lauren Bessette, 34, took off for Martha's Vineyard from a Fairfield, New Jersey, airport. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Snowstorm by Eating Snow and Croissants for a Week: 'A Miracle', died in a helicopter crash in Medford, New Jersey, Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington. Sadly, the singer made the mistake of flying into more stormy weather and did not level his wings as he made a crucial turn. Cline was 30 years old. The airplane belonged to country singer Jerry Calhoun. While on the approach to Madison the airplane plunged into Lake Monona. This video is in Loving Memory of those forty celebrities who sadly died in plane crashes. According to NBC News, on September 8, 2017, the men were set to perform a show at an airport resort in New Jersey when Gentry decided to board a helicopter before they were to hit the stage. Among those with Kobe were his 13-year-old daughter, GiannaBryant, and seven others. As perThe Washington Post, the National Transportation Safety Board reported that the crash was due to pilot error and bad weather, stating that the plane went down because of Kennedy's "failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation.". In retrospect, given that most celebrities travel today in private Gulf-streams or chartered jets, the idea of a major star traveling in a single-engine plane seems almost ludicrous. Notable celebrities who died in aircraft incidents. Alan Kulwicki, 38: The NASCAR driver died in an airplane crash April 1, 1993, when the plane he was in crashed while trying to land in Blountville, Tenn. Kulwicki was the 1992 NASCAR champion. In a VH1 "Behind the Music"special, plane crash survivors pianist Billy Powell, drummer Artimus Pyle, and guitarist Gary Rossington recalled initial fears about boarding the plane because of its old age and issues with the engines. Waylon Jennings, then a member of Hollys band, gave up his seat to Richardson, who was sick. Jenni Rivera. He died on February 3, 1959, at the age of 22. Answer (1 of 7): There are at least three reasons why famous people are more likely to die in flight, and one reason why there are not as much more likely as you might think they are. Even though the survival rate for plane crashes is quite high (via Ranker), this doesn't mean a person comes out unscathed if an accident does occur. I represent the poor people. and crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico just after it took off. While flying is by no means a dangerous mode of travelling, plane crashes do occur from time to time which result in the deaths of numerous people each year in the most horrific manner. Koepcke's mother's body was later discovered. Hall and Anderson survived the accident, but Munson suffered a broken neck and died of asphyxiation caused by breathing super-heated air and toxic chemicals. Just 80 miles from their destination, both engines gave out as the pilot tried to land the plane on its belly. Roy Halladay, 40: The retired pitcher was killed Nov. 7, 2017, when the aircraft he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. The death of singer Aaliyah in a 2001 plane crash was just one of many notable celebrity deaths due to a plane crash. Immortalized by Don McLeans song American Pie as The Day the Music Died, the crash of a Beechcraft Bonanza on February 3, 1959, took the lives of 22-year-old Buddy Holly (Peggy Sue), Ritchie Valens (17) and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper, who was 28). The country music legend, who was famed for her hits "Walkin' After Midnight" and "Crazy," died while on board a private plane belonging to her manager on March 5, 1963, in Tennessee. The NTSB also said the 53-year-old singer didn't have a valid pilot's license because it had been revoked over a previous drunken driving conviction. However, Hughes believed they would be okay since it was a short flight. Both Miller and the plane were never found. Sadly, there were two other up-and-coming stars with Holly on board the plane. Besides having a love for music, Denver was also an avid pilot. When their plane didn't arrive on time, it was reported missing. According to The New York Times, the baseball star's life was cut short when he boarded a plane bound for Nicaragua to deliver supplies to those affected by an earthquake in 1972. A look at some of them: Nick Adenhart, 22: The Angels right-hander was killed April . Nine people boarded a twin-engine Cessna 402B at the Marsh Harbour Airport, headed for Opa-locka Airport in Florida. Guitarist Vaughn died early the morning of Aug. 26, 1990, after his helicopter crashed into a ski hill. While commercial and private air travel is generally safe today, some of the famous people on this list were test pilots, who died testing new aircraft technology. She, too, had survived the crash, but was too injured to move and died days later. Rock Stars and Bands Killed in Airplane Crashes, Celebrities Who Died in Helicopter Crashes, The Greatest Singers of the Past 30 Years, The Greatest Baseball Players Of All Time, The Best Players in the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is a list of notable human fatalities resulting from aviation accidents and incidents. The investigation blamed pilot Peterson, who was not prepared for the weather he encountered on the flight. His only passenger was his manager, Dean Manuel. After shooting a music video, she and eight other people had boarded the chartered Cessna for a flight from the Bahamas to Florida. The accident happened when Aycock, whose pilots license had expired, attempted to buzz Osbournes tour bus, clipped a wing on the bus, and crashed into Calhouns house. Fernandez was a two-time All-Star and the NL rookie of the year in 2013. He died early in the morning of August 27, 1990, in the crash of a Bell 206B JetRanger helicopter outside Elkhorn, Wisconsin. "The Day the Music Died" also claimed the lives of Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper. Plane Crash Carrying Coworkers Identified: 'They Were Valuable Members of Our Team', Officials Say Plane Broke Apart Before Crash that Killed 5, Including New Dad of 1-Month-Old Baby, All About Gwen Shamblin Lara, the Late Diet Guru and Religious Leader, Pilot, 46, Killed in Medical Plane Crash Was a Proud 'Girl Dad' to 3 Daughters and Loved Giving Back, Pilot Thought Instructor Was 'Just Pretending' When He Had Died Mid-Takeoff, Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023, Man, 81, Survived Being Trapped in Calif. I've tried coming up with a few explanations, but I lack the statistical ability to really explain it: These crashes are common, but because these people are famous they stick out like sore thumbs, The people who fly in private jets are typically famous people, so when a private plane crashes there is a higher probability that one of the passengers will be famous (although this is interesting because there are far more private jets that transport corporate people like my dad and myself and their crash rate is significantly lower, so there are a few problems with this explanation). She broke her collarbone, had deep cuts, and ruptured a ligament in her knee, but survived. It's important to remember that statistically, traveling by plane is safer than other modes of transportation, like driving or cycling. The country artist was also with his pianist Dean Manuel, who died in the crash. The pilot, who was 78, was reportedly not allowed to fly a plane of that weight. What new music would artists like soul singer Amy Winehouse and rapper Mac Miller release if they didn't die before 30? Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. After Lewis agreed, Graham hopped back on the helicopter to return to his Bay Area home. The Learjet carrying the performer lost contact with air traffic controllers after it took off from Monterrey, Mexico, at 3:15 a.m. following Rivera's concert there. It was originally planned for Waylon Jennings and Tommy Allsup to be on that plane, but Waylon gave up his seat to J.P. because he had the flu and Tommy Allsup and Ritchie Valens tossed a coin for the other seat with Valens "winning" the toss. Was this Alfred Hitchcock actor really Orville Wrights godson? The 22-year-old R&B artist died after her plane went down after takeoff on Aug. 25, 2001. The singer, known for hits like Four Walls, took off from Batesville, Arkansas, on July 31, 1964, for a flight to Nashville. According to the Los Angeles Times, the "Basta Ya" songstress had given what would be her final performance atArena Monterrey when she boarded her plane at around 3 a.m. with her team, which included a makeup artist, hair stylist, her lawyer, and a publicist. Kobe Bryant joins a list of athletes who died young in vehicle or aviation accidents. BenCauley, a trumpeter for the Bar-Kays was the only survivor. Holly was a rising star in the music industry with songs like "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day" with his band, The Crickets. NTSB investigators said the two pilots and four passengers died of hypoxia when the plane's cabin failed to pressurize. The band confirmed Gentry's death in a post on their Facebook page and stated that details surrounding the crash were unknown. The plane continued on auto pilot until it ran out of fuel and slammed into a field in South Dakota. Rhoads and makeup artist Rachel Youngblood accompanied Aycock aboard a second flight when the plane's wing hit the tour bus, hit a tree, and ultimately crashed into a home, where it caught on fire. 45: The former heavyweight boxing champion died Aug. 31, 1969, when the plane he was in hit a tree two miles short of landing in Iowa. The singer/songwriter had recently penned "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" when his plane went down in Madison, Wisconsin's Lake Monona in December of 1967. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. The same was found for victims of a 2009 Air France Flight(per Journal of Forensic Medicine) as investigators concluded that any pain felt from trauma was brief and death was quick. Another highly unfortunate case was the crash in which three popular celebrities Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas perished together. Unfortunately, plane crashes are much more common than we like to admit. Denver died at 53 when his experimental aircraft crashed into Monterey Bay, California, on October, 12, 1997, per theAP. However, an explosion would mean a death that was rapid and pain-free. Over 300 celebrities, historical figures, actors, singers, and other famous people have tragically died inairplane accidents, leaving great work behind in many cases. Nonetheless, plane crashes do happen. The latter five victims were all from Brentwood and were members of Lara's church, according to News Channel 5. Rivera, a native of Long Beach, California, was known as the Diva of Banda with more than 20 million albums sold worldwide and once named one of People En Espaol's 25 most powerful women. CNN reported that the aircraft was heavily overloaded, which resulted in the plane crash. Because celebrities and sports figures are likely to travel frequently and have private aircraft . It seems impossible to believe he has died at age 41. She was traveling from the city of Monterrey to a concert in Mexico. Per Ranker, 95% of people who crash while on a plane survive. TheDireccin General de Aeronutica Civil of Mexico concluded there was a loss of flight control for undetermined reasons. The world mourned the loss of a sports icon when Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California. Lidle was 34 years old. Don McLean's 1971 hit "American Pie" was inspired by the plane crash that killed 1950s rock star Buddy Holly. Pilot error was the most likely cause of the crash. Kennedy was 38. Sadly, her life was taken too soon when she died in a plane crash, along with six others, near Monterrey, Mexico, on December 9, 2012. Powell shared, "It felt like being in a solid steel garbage can rolling down a hill, hit with a hundred baseball bats, head, body, ankles, you name it." Pyle, also very hurt, managed to get out of the wreckage and call for help. Here are some notable cases. There have been many fatal flights that took the lives of some of the world's most famous celebrities and public. All four people died in the crash. If decompression occurs when a plane falls apart in the air, it can suck out bodies and seats outside, thus making them difficult to find. Zobayan lost his sense of direction due to spatial disorientation, a phenomenon in aviation that is commonly referred to as "the leans," and crashed into the side of a hill. Aailyah had released three best-selling albums at the time of her death and was married briefly (and illegally) to her mentor, rapper and producer R. Kelly, at the age of 15. It eventually went down in a field in South Dakota. According to the aircraft's accident report, the plane was flying out from Greenville, South Carolina, and was bound for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when it crashed into a wooded area of Gillsburg, Mississippi. Dussan sustained injuries to her legs and was in a wheelchair for years. Even though parts of the crashed plane were found in the waters off Nicaragua, Clemente's body was never recovered. According to Ranker, it's likely that passengers wouldn't know they're crashing. On May 13, 1948, she died in a plane crash on the way from Paris to the French Riviera. The people who fly in private jets are typically famous people, so when a private plane crashes there is a higher probability that one of the passengers will be famous (although this is interesting because there are far more private jets that transport corporate people like my dad and myself and their crash rate is significantly lower, so there All three had completed a concert in nearby Clear Lake, Iowa. So, Jennings rode on Holly's band's tour bus instead. Rivera and six others were in a Learjet that departed Monterrey, Mexico. The New York Yankees catcher was practicing takeoffs and landings with friend Jerry Anderson and flight instructor Dave Hall, when Munson clipped a tree and then struck a tree stump. and "Try Again"earned her the nickname the "Princess of R&B," and by the age of 22, she already had three successful albums. All three people died on the plane. Singer/songwriter Jim Croce, 30, was a rising star on September 20, 1973, when he performed his last concert at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Gentry, who was one half of the country duo Montgomery Gentry, died in a helicopter crash in Medford, New Jersey, on Sept. 8, 2017. This is one of the most dangerous reasons plane crashes, and is usually the reason why most airliners crash. Airplanes and helicopters are the fastest way to travel long distances. Kobe Bryant joins a list of athletes who died young in vehicle or aviation accidents. Sadly, it would be the only No. Over 300 celebrities, historical figures, actors, singers, and other famous people have tragically died in airplane accidents, leaving great work behind in many cases. The 22-year-old R&B artist died after her plane went down after takeoff on Aug. 25, 2001. The Yankees pitcher and his flight instructor were killed when the ballplayer's small plane crashed into a high-rise apartment building in Manhattan. Eleanor Roosevelt. Misinterpreting data. I like workers. His body was never recovered. However, as of this writing, it has not been released. Denver, 53, was an experienced pilot (although his license had been suspended following incidents of drunk driving) but investigators determined he had probably crashed after unsuccessfully attempting to switch fuel tanks in flight, a maneuver that may have led him to inadvertently hit the rudder pedal by mistake, leading to a loss of control. 1 spot on the Billboard charts, making it his second and last No. Rocky Marciano. Shortly after taking off, the helicopter crashed into a nearby ski mountain. There were no survivors. The number of times famous people use private jets per year is statistically higher than the average user of private jets , increasing their likelihood of dying in a plane crash. All six onboard, including guitarist Maury Muehleisen, comedian George Stevens, road manager Dennis Rast and Croces agent, Kenneth D. Cortese, died in the crash. All Rights Reserved. Immediately after takeoff from Natchitoches Regional Airport, the airplane hit a pecan tree. If the crash is sudden, a passenger would only be conscious for a moment or two. When US Airways Flight 427 began its approach to land in Pittsburgh on September 8, 1994, the Boeing 737 suddenly rolled to the left and plunged 5,000 feet to the ground, killing all 132 people . After the plane encountered intense levels of turbulence, it fell nose-first in a ravine in the Cvennes Mountains. According to Rolling Stone, country music legend Waylon Jennings was supposed to be on that same flight but was asked by Richardson to give up his seat. Per The Guardian, Michelle Dussan was only 6 years old in 1995 when she survived a plane crash that killed 151 people, including her mother, brother, and cousin. Celebrities who died in a plane crash. Her songs like "Are You That Somebody?" John Denver is remembered for his 1970s hits like "Take Me Home, Country Road," "Rocky Mountain High," and "Thank God I'm a Country Boy." Country singer Jim Reeves, 40, died in a crash similar to Clines, except in this case Reeves was flying his own airplane. Kennedy acquired his pilot's license a year before. - Getty "The Day the Music Died" also claimed the lives of Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, better . Here is a list of other athletes and celebrities who died in air tragedies. Mom-influencer convicted of lying about kids' attempted kidnapping, Texans conclude 2023 NFL Draft with 5 offensive players, 4 defensive, Vietnamese community remembers Fall of Saigon 48 years later. The Roberto Clemente Foundation stated that the plane was overloaded, with a wrongful death suit filed by Clemente's wife, Vera Zabala Clemente, stating that the plane experienced engine failure before it went down. One says a British bomber returning home after bad weather had obscured its target jettisoned its bomb load and accidentally blew the Norseman out of the air; another speculated that the Norsemans wings had iced over, causing the airplane to plunge into the Channel. Read on to learn which mega stars' lives were cut short after they died in plane crashes. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. What films would Heath Ledger or Paul Walker nab the lead roles for if they didn't leave us so soon? Plane Crash: 'I Love You and the Kids', Lynyrd Skynyrd's Last Surviving Founding Member, Guitarist Gary Rossington, Dead at 71, Waylon Jennings' Eerie Last Words to Buddy Holly Before His Death: 'I Hope Your Ol' Plane Crashes', Bodies of 4 Who Died in Gulf of Mexico Helicopter Crash Are Recovered, Victims of Ark. Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd faced tragedy when their plane crashed on October 20, 1977. The pilot was also killed in the crash. The deceased were Ronnie Van Zant, the band's lead vocalist, guitar player and vocalist Steve Gaines and his sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines.