The TERRIFYING Last Minutes of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Summary
TLDROn October 20, 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd's tour took a tragic turn when their Convair 240 aircraft crashed, claiming the lives of several band members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. Just days after releasing their album *Street Survivors*, the band faced severe mechanical failures during the flight. Despite efforts to land safely, the plane plummeted, resulting in a devastating impact. While some survived with serious injuries, the crash marked a pivotal moment in rock history. The band's legacy continued, but the tragedy foreshadowed further losses in the years to come, cementing Lynyrd Skynyrd as music icons with a haunting story.
Takeaways
- 🎤 Leonard Skynyrd's iconic status was solidified with the release of their album *Street Survivors* just days before the tragedy.
- ✈️ The band rented a Convair 240 airplane for their tour, a choice that would lead to disastrous consequences.
- ⚠️ Previous concerns about the aircraft's safety were raised when Aerosmith declined to rent the same plane due to pilot intoxication.
- 🚀 The flight from Lakeland to Greenville featured warning signs, including sparks from the right engine, which were ignored.
- 😟 Ronnie Van Zant reassured scared band members, unaware that this would be their final flight together.
- ⚠️ The plane crashed while trying to reach an airport after the pilots realized they were running low on fuel.
- 🔥 The crash resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines, while many others suffered serious injuries.
- 🏥 Survivors faced chaotic rescue efforts, with some unaware of the fatalities among their bandmates for several days.
- 📝 The National Transportation Safety Board determined the crash was caused by fuel exhaustion and crew inattention.
- 🎶 Leonard Skynyrd's legacy endures, with over 60 albums and more than 30 million copies sold, continuing to resonate with fans across generations.
Q & A
What significant event happened on October 20, 1977, involving Lynyrd Skynyrd?
-On October 20, 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crashed, resulting in the deaths of several band members and crew, marking a tragic moment in music history.
What album did Lynyrd Skynyrd release just days before the crash?
-The band released their album *Street Survivors* on October 17, 1977, just three days before the crash.
Why did Lynyrd Skynyrd choose to rent a CV 240 dual prop airplane for their tour?
-They opted for the CV 240 dual prop airplane to travel more quickly and easily between concert venues, rather than relying on commercial flights or tour buses.
What concerns were raised about the airplane prior to the crash?
-Some band members raised concerns about the plane's safety, especially after experiencing issues with the right engine during a previous flight.
What premonition did Ronnie VanZant express regarding his future?
-Ronnie VanZant frequently expressed a belief that he would not live to see his 30th birthday, which ultimately came true when he died in the plane crash at the age of 29.
What were the immediate causes of the plane crash as determined by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)?
-The NTSB determined that the crash was caused by fuel exhaustion and total loss of power from both engines due to crew inattention to fuel supply.
How many passengers were on board the plane during the crash, and how many survived?
-There were 26 passengers on board the plane, but only 20 survived the crash.
What happened to the plane during its final moments before the crash?
-The right engine failed, and in an attempt to transfer fuel, the flight crew accidentally jettisoned the remaining fuel, leading to a complete power loss and forcing an emergency landing.
What was the fate of the band members who did not survive the crash?
-Ronnie VanZant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, the band's road manager Dean Kilpatrick, and both pilots lost their lives in the crash.
What happened to the band members in the years following the crash?
-Several members faced tragic fates, including Alan Collins, who became paralyzed in a car accident, and Leon Wilson, who died from chronic health issues, with the last original member, Gary Rossington, passing away in 2023.
Outlines
🛩️ The Ill-Fated Flight of Lynyrd Skynyrd
On October 20, 1977, Leonard Skinner, the Southern rock band, had just released their influential album 'Street Survivors.' The band, riding high on their success with hits like 'Sweet Home Alabama' and 'Freebird,' commenced a major American tour. However, they opted for a rented Convair CV-240 airplane instead of conventional travel methods, a decision that would ultimately have tragic consequences. Despite safety concerns raised by some band members about the aircraft, including a previous incident involving Aerosmith, the band chose to proceed with their flight to Baton Rouge after a concert in Greenville, South Carolina. Unbeknownst to them, this would be their final performance together as the looming threat of disaster closed in.
😱 Panic in the Skies
As the band boarded the aging aircraft for their flight to Baton Rouge, singer Ronnie VanZant's ominous remark to backup vocalist Cassie Gaines foreshadowed the tragedy ahead. The flight began smoothly but quickly descended into chaos as the right engine failed mid-flight, leading to a desperate fuel crisis. Panic ensued on board as passengers, initially unaware of the grave situation, felt the aircraft losing altitude. Amid the turmoil, drummer Artemis Pyle went to the cockpit and was met with urgency from the pilots. The plane ultimately crashed into a wooded area after failing to reach their intended landing site, resulting in a catastrophic outcome for the band and crew.
🌲 The Aftermath of the Crash
The crash of the Convair CV-240 was catastrophic, leading to the death of several band members, including Ronnie VanZant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines. The survivors faced severe injuries but were initially unaware of the full extent of the tragedy that had unfolded. Gary Rossington described the horror of the crash, where many were thrown from the plane. Fortunately, the lack of fuel prevented a post-crash fire, which potentially saved lives. In the aftermath, the National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to fuel exhaustion and crew inattention, leading to a tragic end for the iconic band that would haunt their history.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Leonard Skinner
💡Street Survivors
💡plane crash
💡Ronnie VanZant
💡Aerosmith
💡survivors
💡National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
💡premonition
💡legacy
💡tragedy
Highlights
October 20, 1977, marked a tragic event in music history with the crash of Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane.
The band's album 'Street Survivors' was released just three days before the crash.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was at the height of their fame, known for iconic hits like 'Sweet Home Alabama' and 'Freebird.'
The band opted for a Convair 240 dual prop airplane for faster travel between concert venues.
Months before, Aerosmith declined to rent the same plane due to safety concerns, potentially saving their lives.
Band members expressed concerns about the plane's safety, particularly after experiencing engine issues.
Despite fear, the band boarded the plane, with Ronnie VanZant reassuring a fearful Cassie Gaines.
On the fateful flight, the right engine failed, leading to a desperate situation as fuel ran low.
The crew accidentally jettisoned fuel while attempting to transfer it between engines, worsening their situation.
Panic set in among passengers as the plane began to lose altitude and the left engine also failed.
Ronnie VanZant was asleep when the pilots realized they could not reach their destination or even the nearest airport.
The plane crashed into a wooded area after failing to maintain altitude, resulting in catastrophic damage.
VanZant, along with several other members, tragically died upon impact, fulfilling his eerie premonition of not reaching 30.
The crash left survivors, including Gary Rossington and Billy Powell, with severe injuries, many of which were life-threatening.
The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to fuel exhaustion and crew inattention to fuel supply.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's story didn't end with the crash; many band members faced additional tragedies and health issues in subsequent years.
Transcripts
October 20th 1977 was a date that would
forever echo through the halls of music
history but not for the reasons anyone
had anticipated Leonard Skinner the
southern rock stars had just dropped
their game-changing album Street
survivors 3 days prior their star was
shining bright as they took center stage
at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium in
Greenville North Carolina in the
spotlight they Shone like never before
with iconic hits such as Sweet Home
Alabama and Freebird electri ing the
audience Leonard skinnard was soaring to
new heights of Fame and a big American
tour would follow but behind the scenes
a chilling fate was closing in little
did they know this would be the last
time the founding members of the band
would perform together after Street
survivors hit the shelves on October
17th Leonard skinnard started a big tour
Across America rather than relying on
commercial flights or spending long
hours on a tour bus the ban made the
decision to rent a con CV 240 dual prop
airplane for their travel between
concert venues this Choice allowed them
to reach their destinations faster and
easier accommodating their busy touring
schedule interestingly just months prior
Aerosmith had considered renting the
same airplane but their management
declined it due to safety concerns
especially after observing the pilot and
co-pilot drinking from a bottle of Jack
Daniels during an inspection and this
decision may have saved their lives
following a concert in Lakeland Florida
Leonard skinnard flew to Greenville
South Carolina for their next show on
October 19th
1977 during the flight a 10-ft stream of
Sparks and Flames shot from the plane's
right engine some band members
immediately raised concerns about the
plane even telling the lead singer
Ronnie VanZant that they would leave the
tour unless they got a different
aircraft Cassie the backup vocalist and
sister of guitarist Steve Gaines was so
scared of the plane that she would
rather travel in the band's cramped
equipment truck instead but VanZant
convinced her to board the plane
switching planes meant canceling tour
dates something F Zant strongly opposed
he believed the band couldn't just
abandon their loyal Southern fans they
had to board that plane once again
little did they know the Fate that
awaited
them on October 20th after an
electrifying concert in Greenville the
band members and crew boarded the
30-year-old airplane that would fly them
to Baton Rouge
Louisiana at the time Leonard skinnard
boasted a lineup featuring vocalist
Ronnie VanZant guitarist Steve Gaines
Allan Collins and Gary rossington
drummer Artemis pile basis Leon Wilson
and keyboardist Billy Powell in addition
to these core members the band was
complemented by a trio of talented
female backup singers collectively known
as the honet this Trio consisted of
Leslie Hawkins JoJo Billingsley and
Cassie gains as they boarded the plane
VanZant Was Heard saying to Cassie if
your time is up your time is up while he
tried to reassure her the band's next
destination was Louisiana State
University where they were scheduled to
perform the following night the
anticipation was high and Spirits were
soaring as they took off however little
did they know that this journey would
take a tragic turn on board of the plane
were 26 passengers including the band
members but only 20 would live to see
another day that night the first stretch
of the 700m flight to Baton Rouge was
smooth sailing but towards the end of
their flight the pilots made a startling
realization the aircraft was running low
on fuel and disas was
lurking suddenly the right engine
stopped functioning this was the same
engine that caused problems on the
previous flight and in a desperate
attempt to transfer fuel from the left
engine to the right the flight crew
accidentally jettisoned the remainder of
their fuel into the Atmosphere Panic set
in as they realized they didn't have
enough fuel to make it to their
destination desperation took over and
the pilots tried to change their course
they were aiming for the nearest airport
mome Pike airport just a few miles
outside mome Mississippi but they soon
faced a harsh reality they didn't even
have enough fuel to make it there to
make things even worse at 10,000 ft and
no fuel remaining the left propeller
also stopped working the plane began to
plummet and this left them with no
option but to attempt an emergency
landing in an open field if they wanted
any chance of surviving meanwhile the
passengers on board were completely
unaware of the serious situation
unfolding around them Ronnie VanZant was
curled up with a pillow sound asleep in
the aisle at the back of the plane he
had been out partying the night before
and desperately needed some rest other
passengers were playing poker trying to
pass the time it all seemed like a
typical flight until the drummer Artemis
pile decided to visit the cockpit and
check on the flight crew the moment he
entered the cabin a visibly panicked
pilot named Walter mccre urgently
instructed him to return to his seat and
buckle up the severity of the situation
became very clear and a feeling of
anxiety quickly spread throughout the
entire plane most passengers sat in
stunned silence closing their eyes and
clenching their fists While others
prayed hoping for a miracle guitarist
Gary rossington vividly remembered a
chilling noise that sounded like
hundreds of baseball bats hitting the
outside of the plane as it began
striking trees they went past the
intended landing area and were left with
no choice but to crash into a swampy
wooded area as they grazed the Treetops
for almost 1,000 ft the noise got louder
and louder until the plane came to a
halt in a 3 ft thick pine tree the
impact tore the plane completely apart
in the 10 to 12 seconds it took to go
from 100 mph to a sudden stop this Force
threw the passengers out of the plane
and onto the forest ground rossington
passed out during the crash and when he
regained Consciousness several minutes
later he found himself on the ground
with the planes door on top of him in
his confused State he looked at the
scene and quickly realized that the the
plane was completely destroyed the wings
and tail had been torn off and the
cockpit containing the deceased pilot
had separated
completely the plane had slid 500 ft
after impact leaving a trail of wreckage
behind in a strange twist of fate the
absence of fuel which was the initial
cause of the crash turned out to be a
blessing in disguise it prevented the
plane from bursting into flames upon
impact potentially saving many lives
however despite the absence of fire not
all were lucky enough to
survive long before that tragic flight
Ronnie VanZant openly expressed a
haunting belief that he wouldn't live to
reach his 30th birthday his father
vividly remembered their conversations
he said to me many times Daddy I'll
never be 30 years old I'd question him
why are you speaking this way you won't
make it to 30 and he'd always replied
daddy that's my
limit his fellow band members were not
immune to these unsettling predictions
either drummer Artemis pile recalled a
conversation they had in Tokyo Japan
Ronnie told me that he would never live
to C30 and that he would go out with his
boots on in other words on the road I
said oh Ronnie don't talk like that but
the man knew his Destiny even Ronnie's
wife Judy had heard him speak of his
looming fate so frequently that she
couldn't dismiss it she said when I
heard that there had been a plane crash
I just knew Ronnie was one of the ones
that didn't make it he told me so many
times that I realized that he really
knew what he was talking about and sadly
his premonition did indeed come true 87
days before his 30th birthday Ronnie
VanZant tragically lost his life in the
devastating plane crash he was violently
thrown from his seat hit his head
against a compartment and died
immediately however the crash not only
claimed the frontman Ronnie VanZant but
also guitarist Steve Gaines who died on
impact backing vocalist Cassie Gaines
who was thrown from the plane and died
shortly after the band's Road manager
Dean Kilpatrick who was found dead in a
swamp in the plan's two pilots Walter
mccre and William Gray while the
majority of survivors were seated
towards the rear of the plane no one
escaped without serious injuries
keyboardist Billy Powell suffered severe
injuries including a nose that was
nearly torn off and extensive facial and
leg lacerations nearly leading to fatal
bleeding gitarist Gary rossington broke
both arms both legs both wrists both
ankles and his pelvis and drummer
Artemis pile suffered multiple broken
ribs in the crash however despite his
injuries pile somehow managed to
navigate through a challenging terrain
of a swampy creek and a dark field to
reach a nearby Farmhouse for help it was
getting dark and there was a helicopter
overhead searching for survivors but
since there was no fire there was
nothing to see pile persevered crossing
a barbed wire fence sustaining puncture
wounds in the process but as he
approached The Farmhouse a man emerged
with a rifle
the man yelled halt but pile was in
shock and stumbled forward the farmer
then shot him in the left shoulder
causing him to spin and fall the impact
spun him around and he collapsed
believing it might be his final moments
gasping for breath he managed to utter
the words plane crash the farmer quickly
rushed to assist apologizing for the
misunderstanding he carried pile into
his house where a group of curious Farm
children gathered emergency responders
swiftly arrived at the scene rushing
everyone to various hospitals a local
volunteer firefighter described the
gruesome scene of the wreckage
mentioning that he stumbled over several
victims who were still alive at this
chaotic moment those whose lives were
spared that day were not immediately
informed of the tragic fatalities Gary
rossington for instance remained unaware
of Ronnie vanzant's tragic passing for
several days only learning of it when
his mother delivered the heartbreaking
news in the aftermath of the incident
the national na Transportation safety
board determined that the probable cause
of this accident was fuel exhaustion and
total loss of power from both engines
due to crew inattention to fuel supply
contributing to the fuel exhaustion were
inadequate flight planning and an engine
malfunction of undetermined nature in
the right engine which resulted in
higher than normal fuel
consumption however the NTSB clarified
that the engine malfunction itself most
likely wasn't that big a deal although
examination of the engine and its
components did not identify the exact
discrepancy the safety board believes
that the discrepancy was of a general
nature such as an ignition or induction
problem and was not a major mechanical
failure ultimately the crash was
attributed to crew in attention to fuel
supply according to the ntsb's final
determination sadly the band's tragic
history didn't end there in 1986 a
devastating car accident left founding
member and guitarist Alan Collins
paralyzed while his girlfriend
tragically died on impact Collins died
on January 23rd 1990 from chronic
pneumonia a complication of the
paralysis the band's basist on the time
of the crash Leon Wilson was found dead
in his hotel room on July 27th 2001 his
passing was attributed to empyema and
chronic liver disease adding to the
band's list of losses in 2009
keyboardist Billy Powell passed away
after a heart attack the original
Leonard skinnard reached its conclusion
when Gary rossington the last remaining
original member sadly passed away on
March 5th
2023 the cause of his death was not
disclosed however he had a history of
heart disease with over 60 albums
produced which have sold over 30 million
copies worldwide Rock and Roll Hall of
Famers Leonard skinnard remain music
icons that appeal to all
generations if you found this video
informative or thought-provoking please
give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the
channel to stay updated on more tragic
stories
Voir Plus de Vidéos Connexes
Mystery of Flight 571 | World's Greatest Miracle | Dhruv Rathee
Mike Shinoda talks about the next era of Linkin Park
Linkin Park Drama
Le groupe le plus MAUDIT de tous les temps (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
[HUENINGKAI Wants to Start a Band] EP.3 - A Keyboardist at Korea Aerospace University🎹
Unforgivable!! The Tragic tale of Air Algérie Flight 6289
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)