Celebrity Private Jet Accidents Source Bing.com
There have been several tragic private jet accidents involving celebrities over the years. From beloved movie stars to famous musicians, these individuals were taken from us far too soon. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most well-known celebrity private jet accidents, and the stories behind them.
John F. Kennedy, Jr.
In 1999, John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife Carolyn, and her sister Lauren died in a plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. The trio had been headed to the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Kennedy, who had only recently earned his pilot’s license, was at the controls of the plane. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error due to Kennedy’s lack of experience in the aircraft he was flying.
John Denver
In 1997, singer-songwriter John Denver was killed in a plane crash near Monterey Bay in California. Denver was an experienced pilot and had flown his plane, an experimental Long-EZ aircraft, for several years prior to the accident. He was also known for his affinity for flying, having penned the song “Rocky Mountain High” in 1972. The cause of the crash was determined to be a combination of pilot error and inadequate maintenance of the aircraft.
Aaliyah
In 2001, R&B singer Aaliyah died in a plane crash near Marsh Harbour, Bahamas. She and her entourage had been returning from a music video shoot in the Bahamas when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error due to the pilot’s inability to properly operate the aircraft.
Travis Barker and DJ AM
In 2008, drummer Travis Barker and DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) were involved in a plane crash near Columbia, South Carolina. The two had been returning from a performance at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty when the plane experienced engine trouble and crashed shortly after takeoff. Barker and Goldstein were the only survivors of the crash, though both suffered severe burns and other injuries. The cause of the crash was determined to be an improperly maintained engine.
Gram Parsons
In 1973, country-rock musician Gram Parsons died in a plane crash near Joshua Tree National Park in California. Parsons and his friend, Phil Kaufman, had been flying from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree to scatter Parsons’ ashes in the desert when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error due to Kaufman’s inexperience with the aircraft.
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper
In 1959, rock and roll music legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. The three had been headed to Fargo, North Dakota for their next tour stop when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error due to the pilot’s inexperience with the aircraft and the weather conditions.
Otis Redding
In 1967, soul singer Otis Redding died in a plane crash near Madison, Wisconsin. Redding and his band had been returning from a performance at a concert in Cleveland when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error due to the pilot’s inability to properly operate the aircraft.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
In 1977, rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd was involved in a plane crash near Gillsburg, Mississippi. The band had been en route to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for their next performance when the plane crashed in a wooded area. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error due to the pilot’s inexperience with the aircraft.
Aaliyah Again
In 2001, R&B singer Aaliyah died in a plane crash near Marsh Harbour, Bahamas. She and her entourage had been returning from a music video shoot in the Bahamas when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error due to the pilot’s inability to properly operate the aircraft.
Conclusion
As we can see, private jet accidents involving celebrities are far too common. While the causes of these accidents vary, pilot error is often to blame. As such, it is important for pilots to be properly trained and certified before they take to the skies with a celebrity on board.
