What Caused the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash in 1977?
On October 20, 1977, a chartered Convair CV-240 aircraft took off from Greenville, South Carolina, en route to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, carrying 26 passengers, including the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, their road crew, and flight personnel.
Over Gillsburg, Mississippi, the aircraft ran out of fuel due to the right engine running on “auto-rich,” negligence by the pilots, the crew missing refueling stops along their route, and sparks and flames coming from the right engine days before they departed on October 20th.
Twenty out of the 26 people on board were killed in the fatal crash, including Lead Vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, Guitarist and Vocalist Steve Gaines, Backing Vocalist Cassie Gaines, Assistant Road Manager Dean Kilpatrick, and both pilots, Walter McCreary and William Gray.
The crash of the Convair CV-240 occurred three days after the release of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s fifth studio album, Street Survivors, released on October 17, 1977.
Yet, after the crash, the band broke up for a decade before reuniting for a tribute tour starting on September 23, 1987, led by lead vocalist Johny Van Zant and performing 84 shows until September 25, 1988.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964 by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Larry Junstrom, and Bob Burns.
Their key hits include Sweet Home Alabama, released on June 24, 1974; Free Bird, released on August 13, 1973; Gimme Three Steps, released on August 13, 1973; Simple Man, released on August 13, 1973; and That Smell, released on October 17, 1977.
Overall, the devastating plane crash that killed six people, including members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, heavily impacted Southern rock and music history, remaining a somber chapter in music.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How did the survivors get help?
Drummer Artimus Pyle and two crew members hiked through the rough swamp terrain to a nearby farmhouse to find help. Local rescue efforts faced severe challenges due to darkness, thick debris, and the remote, wooded location.
2) How did the crash affect the band’s new album?
Street Survivors: The band’s fifth studio album was released on October 17, 1977, three days before the tragedy. The original cover featured the band standing amid active flames; out of respect, MCA Records replaced it with a simple backdrop.
Source: https://www.mojo4music.com/time-machine/1970s/mojo-time-machine-lynyrd-skynyrds-fatal-air-crash/
3) How many top 10 hits did Lynyrd Skynard have?
They had only one top-10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their 1974 signature song, Sweet Home Alabama, peaked at No. 8 on the Hot 100.
Why it matters
The October 20, 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash marked a turning point in rock history, abruptly ending the original lineup of a legendary band.
Sources
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