Bigairee Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 THE LAST FLIGHT OF THE FREEBIRD On October 20th, 1977, the band was traveling from Greenville, SC to their next show on the campus of L.S.U. They had no reason to suspect that anything was amiss as they boarded the plane and strapped themselves in for the flight. The Convair 240 was an older, propeller-driven aircraft and the band had always been somewhat unnerved when they flew aboard it. In fact, they had already decided that this would be their last flight on the aging plane. They were planning to purchase a Lear Jet for themselves and a new bus for their roadies. Regrettably though, this decision came too late. When one of the engines stalled in mid-flight, the crew panicked and made a fatal error. While attempting to transfer the remaining fuel to the opposite wing tank, they inadvertently dumped it all. Seconds later, the aircraft began to rapidly descend. The pilot tried to land in a clearing, but the wings clipped some trees and the plane crashed down in a swamp near Gillsburg, MS. Both the pilot and co-pilot were killed instantly, as the aircraft broke apart. Ronnie Van Zant was not wearing a seatbelt, so he was thrown forward and buried amidst the mangled fuselage. Cassie Gaines had been so pleased when her brother Steve had joined the band because she was able to share the music that she loved. So perhaps in some tragic way, it is fitting that they died together. The crash also claimed the life of Dean Kilpatrick, Skynyrd's road manager. In the blink of an eye, the promising future of the band was snuffed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banshee04le Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Instant legend status was achieved with that tragedy, and they deserved it...the legend status that is, not the tragedy . And they still rock. How about that somewhat new "red white and blue" song . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oilsmoke Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 One of my Favorite Band. Love the song 38. special & gimme 3 steps. I Like there new cd alot too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYUK Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 SIMPLE MAN.without a doubt one of the best songs ever put on paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 SIMPLE MAN.without a doubt one of the best songs ever put on paper. i that the one velvet relvoler has? i mean did they remake it off of skynard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKJK Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 my all time favorite band.thier music will live forever.almost 30 years later+thier still recieveing praise! quality speeks volumes.R.I.P. gone but never forgoten! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nater006 Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Con Air: "Define irony, bunch of idiots dancing on a plane to a song made famous by a band that died in a plane crash." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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