It is possible that the damaged magneto fooled the pilots into creating an exceptionally rich fuel mixture, causing the Convair to run out of fuel. (Photo by Ted Jackson). He was best known for being a Rock Singer. She was hesitant because she had seen a small fire in one of the engines the previous day. So we came out here and got busy. Cassie Gaines Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Turns out that Cassie didn't want to board that particular flight and had blatantly refused to travel on that plane. In 1986, his car ran off a road and crashed into a culvert, paralyzing him from the waist down and killing his girlfriend. On 20th October 1977, the Lynyrd Skynyrd boarded a chartered Convair CV-240 to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after their performance in Greenville, South Carolina. At the end of the day, Ronnie and the boys are gone and we lost a rock n roll angel on October 20, 1977. The will to carry on was strong, however, Pyle being a US Marine, would live out the phrase Semper Fidelis which means always faithful. The plane finally slammed into the earth, and Billy Powell recalls saying, We hit the trees at approximately 90 mph. Billy Powell would be in the new starting line-up of Lynyrd Skynyrd until his death in 2009. News had spread about the crash and before too long an estimated 3,000 people had swarmed to the crash site. Easley knows he wasn't the first on the site, but he was there early. The reason behind this? My younger brother and I banged out "Freebird" on a cheap set of drums in our bedroom. The album would reach gold in ten days after release and it would eventually go double platinum. His only help at that moment was his neighbor, Dwain Easley. Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and singer Cassie Gaines were all killed in the crash, and the band stopped performing and recording. Rossington recalls saying It was always weird for Allen and me because we were up front in the plane. That's when Mote connected the dots with the noise he had heard earlier. Van Zant himself "loathed flying," as Rolling Stone. Gary continues on the band with Ronnies brother, Johnny Van Zant, and guitarist Ricky Medlocke. Almost as mysteriously, the full bottle is never seen again. So, we're both southerners.". From the commercial hits of Free Bird and Simple Man to less mainstream songs like The Needle And The Spoon and T Is For Texas, Lynyrd Skynyrd and their driving southern sound quickly cut their way to the top of the charts and into the hearts of many across the states and around the world. His luck, however, was on the short end of the stick as he would have his throat slit while on the Lynyrd Skynyrd tour bus in the early 90s. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Small and cramped, it still felt better than lift-off of the Convair CV-240. "But using a phone out here is worthless," he said, and even with his expertise, he had trouble finding the exact spot of the crash site. Minutes later he was guiding an ambulance through an overgrown trail. Rescue vehicles on the ground found no direct path in sight. he said, barely able to get his English to suit his thoughts. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Marc Frank remembers seeing complete and total despair. Powells nose had been nearly ripped from his face after crashing head first through a table. He had been impaled by a part of the fuselage and it pushed through his body and projected out of his back. The plane had completely disintegrated. Lynyrd Skynyrd was known for their hard-rocking style, driven by powerful guitars. Terror soon engulfed the cabin of the plane and the pilots were frantically trying to radio local Houston Air Traffic Control, stating they had a fuel issue and were most likely going to have to make a emergency landing. Marc Frank, a 24-year-old roadie traveling with the band, noticed what seemed to be fuel spewing from the right engine. For members Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, the weight of what happened seemed to push down on them the most. In 1975, his sister, Cassie, whose group had been hired to sing back. After the death of three of their members, the band decided to change the cover photo of the album, which initially featured a picture of the band engulfed in flames. The pilots would have to make an emergency landing. Lynyrd Skynyrd is a staple on rock, classic rock, and southern radio stations. 10 Details About the Fatal Plane Crash that Was the Death of Lynyrd Ronnie Van Zant, drunk and laying in the middle of the aisle, simply pulled himself together, sat up, and quietly chose a seat up front. You have permission to edit this article. Rock Musician. I was just taken aback by it " but then his friend continued, "don't worry, Lynyrd made it out.". Three crew members died in a plane crash just three days after the release of their 5th album. "I was well prepared with advanced trauma life support training," he said, "and (I was) a flight surgeon in the military. Lynyrd Skynyrd is no doubt an American staple in music and southern rock culture. Four of the passengers were killed including bandleader and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and assistant tour manager Dean Kilpatrick. Artimus Pyle emerged with several broken ribs, and bleeding everywhere you could. Cassie Gaines cause of death The talented singer met her death at the young age of 29. Collins and other band members were severely injured. Billy Powell would be in the new starting line-up of Lynyrd Skynyrd until his death in 2009. As a member of the Civil Air Patrol on that fateful night, he heard the report of a plane crash over the citizens band radio. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the probable cause of this accident was fuel exhaustion and total loss of power from both engines due to crew inattention to the fuel supply. At this point, for Artimus Pyle, Marc Frank, and Ken Peden, the only sensible thing left to do was to leave certain death at the crash site, for uncertainty in the swamp. On the original pressing of the cover of Street Survivors was a photograph of the band engulfed in flames. TBS - Movies for Guys Who Like Movies Bumper - The Jerk - 1996, TBS - Dinner & A Movie - Urban Cowboy Promo - 1995, TBS - Movies for Guys Who Like Movies - Running Scared Promo - 1995. "Sweet Home Alabama" became the southern anthem for millions. The cockpit, tail, and wings completely ripped apart and the remaining cab lay desolate, in the shape of an L. The plane was simply not built well enough to even remotely handle the impact from the pine trees at roughly 90 mph. Powell also claimed that Ronnie Van Zant's head had been smashed. Steve Gaines (1949-1977) - Find a Grave Memorial The band has sold an estimated 35 million records. Video of a barechested Pyle at the 1979 Volunteer Jam does not show evidence of a gunshot wound. Cassie was buried in Orange Park, Florida, together with her brother, Steve Gains. Pilot Walter. Lynyrd Skynyrd pose for a portrait circa 1976. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Steve Gaines was killed instantly upon impact and his sister Cassie Gaines perished as well. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. "Are you writing a book?" In this video you will see the true story behind the tragic passing of Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, and Steve Gaines on October 20, 1977. Shining from what seemed to be a small house on a dairy farm. I obviously didn't know what I was doing. Some were screaming and moaning for help, but they were all limp. Drummer Artimus Pyle crawled out of the plane wreckage with several broken ribs, but was ambulatory, as were road crew members Kenneth Peden Jr. and Mark Frank. No one that hit the ground alive died. Willing to lend a hand and stick by his bandmates, he was hard to beat when standing by your side. I dont like that, The Weeknd is getting mocked for his response to Rolling Stones The Idol expos, Daisy Jones & the Six review: Riley Keough fronts a rock soap opera, Aaron Carters mom posts awful photos from death scene, pushes for homicide inquiry, Wayne Shorter, influential jazz saxophonist and composer, dies at 89. "Yes, your right," I said, slightly amused. Pyle claimed in a February 2007 appearance on Howard Stern's Sirius radio program that Mote had shot him; Mote has always denied shooting the drummer. Tangled by underbrush and the 20-foot creek, the rescue team had to act and think fast. Your IP: Over the ridge, a World War II vintage Willis Jeep crawled down a dusty logging trail. We just had released an album that went gold almost overnight. I put them all to work. "They'd busted bales of hay in the bed to soften the ride," he said. Artimus Pyle was also notoriously outspoken against the plane and on several occasions would take buses to shows. Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Wilkeson Found Dead - ABC News On 20th October 1977, the Lynyrd Skynyrd boarded a chartered Convair CV-240 to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after their performance in Greenville, South Carolina. Other band members were injured, some very seriously. Wilkeson cheated death in 1977, surviving a crash of the band's chartered plane. Both Steve and Cassie Gaines were killed in the crash. [2] Ronnie Van Zant was just more than the bands main songwriter, frontman, and singer. Rossington recalls saying It was always weird for Allen and me because we were up front in the plane. David Bowie Reveals His Favorite Songwriters, Michael Jacksons Daughter Release New Song, Fans Wants To Cancel Roger Waters Concerts, Ozzy Osbourne Give Update On Possible Touring, Why Keith Richards Was Jealous Of The Beatles, Dave Grohl Reveals His Favorite Paul McCartney Track. The Truth Behind Ronnie Van Zant's LAST Ride - Society Of Rock Collins and other band members were severely injured. 137.184.228.194 Before joining the music band, she was an original cast member of a school play under Hairspray. Pilots Walter McCreary and William Gray were fully aware of a fuel shortage before the flight took off. The album cover depicted the band members in an alleyway covered in flames. He remembered seeing bodies everywhere. The album would go through several cover changes and would mark a new era for the guys. He pulled the lifeless body of Cassie Gaines up by her belt. His post noted that he and many others had made pilgrimages for years to the site to pay their respects. Medical personnel arrived and began to ferry out the injured and the dead. With a newly-released album, "Street Survivors," they were flying from a concert in Greenville, S.C. to the next night's show at LSU in Baton Rouge in a substandard charter plane.