The TERRIFYING Last Minutes of Lynyrd Skynyrd

Summary

On 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

00:00

🛩️ 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.

05:00

😱 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.

10:00

🌲 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.

Keywords

💡Leonard Skinner

Leonard Skinner was a prominent southern rock band that gained immense popularity in the 1970s. Their music, characterized by a mix of rock, blues, and country influences, resonates with themes of rebellion and Southern pride. The video highlights their rise to fame, particularly through iconic tracks like 'Sweet Home Alabama' and 'Freebird,' emphasizing their impact on the music scene and the tragic events that marked their legacy.

💡Street Survivors

Released just days before the tragic plane crash, 'Street Survivors' was Leonard Skinner's fifth studio album. This album is significant as it contains some of their most recognized songs, and it symbolizes the band's peak at the time. The video mentions that the album's release coincided with a turbulent period in their history, ultimately marking the band’s high point just before their devastating loss.

💡plane crash

The plane crash on October 20, 1977, serves as the central tragedy in the narrative of the video. This catastrophic event resulted in the deaths of several band members and crew, dramatically altering the trajectory of the band's future. The video describes the crash in detail, including the panic among passengers and the desperate attempts by the flight crew to land safely, illustrating the chaos and horror of the situation.

💡Ronnie VanZant

Ronnie VanZant was the lead vocalist of Leonard Skinner and a significant figure in southern rock music. Known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence, VanZant's tragic death in the plane crash underscored the band's vulnerability and foreshadowed the calamity that would unfold. The video highlights his premonitions about not reaching 30, reflecting his complex character and the dark themes that permeate the band's legacy.

💡Aerosmith

Aerosmith is mentioned in the video as a contemporary band that almost rented the same airplane as Leonard Skinner but decided against it due to safety concerns. This anecdote serves to underscore the tragic irony of the situation and raises questions about the safety protocols of the time. The reference illustrates how close the fate of other musicians could have been to that of Leonard Skinner, emphasizing the randomness of tragedy in the music industry.

💡survivors

The survivors of the plane crash faced significant physical and emotional trauma following the incident. Their experiences, including severe injuries and the harrowing realization of the loss of friends, are central to understanding the aftermath of the crash. The video recounts the struggles of survivors like Gary Rossington and Artemis Pyle, illustrating the profound impact of the event on their lives and the band's future.

💡National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The NTSB is the federal agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents in the United States. Their investigation into the Leonard Skinner plane crash revealed critical insights regarding fuel exhaustion and crew inattention as the primary causes of the accident. The video's mention of the NTSB findings underscores the importance of safety regulations in aviation and serves as a cautionary tale for the music and transportation industries.

💡premonition

A premonition is an intuitive feeling or sense about a future event, often suggesting impending danger. The video explores Ronnie VanZant's repeated expressions of his belief that he would not reach his 30th birthday, framing this as a haunting insight into his fate. This concept adds a layer of tragedy to the narrative, illustrating how some individuals may have an inexplicable awareness of their destiny.

💡legacy

Legacy refers to what is left behind after a person's life or career, particularly their impact on culture and society. Despite the tragedy of the plane crash, Leonard Skinner's music continues to resonate with audiences, illustrating the band's enduring influence on rock music. The video discusses their success in selling over 30 million copies of their albums and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, highlighting their lasting cultural significance.

💡tragedy

Tragedy in this context encompasses the unexpected and devastating events that led to the loss of life and the impact on the survivors. The video captures the emotional weight of the crash and its aftermath, portraying how such tragedies can shape the narrative of a band and its members. The repeated theme of loss and its ramifications adds depth to the understanding of the band's story, making it not just about music but also about human resilience in the face of sorrow.

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