The Haunting Final Hours of Lynyrd Skynyrd: A Tragic Legacy

October 20, 1977, is a date etched in the annals of music history, but not for the reasons one might expect.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, the southern rock band that had just released their groundbreaking album “Street Survivors” three days prior, was on the cusp of a major American tour.

With iconic hits like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” electrifying audiences, the band was soaring to new heights of fame.

However, behind the scenes, a chilling fate was closing in, one that would change the landscape of rock music forever.

Little did they know that this concert in Greenville, North Carolina, would be the last time the founding members performed together.

Following the release of “Street Survivors,” the band opted for a more convenient mode of travel.

Instead of relying on commercial flights or enduring long hours on a tour bus, they rented a Convair 240 dual prop airplane for their travels between concert venues.

This choice allowed them to reach their destinations more quickly, accommodating their busy touring schedule.

Interestingly, just months earlier, Aerosmith had considered renting the same aircraft but declined due to safety concerns.

Their management had observed the pilot and co-pilot drinking from a bottle of Jack Daniels during an inspection, a decision that may have saved their lives.

After a concert in Lakeland, Florida, Lynyrd Skynyrd flew to Greenville, South Carolina, for their next show on October 19, 1977.

During this flight, a 10-foot stream of sparks and flames shot from the plane’s right engine, raising alarms among the band members.

Some band members voiced their concerns, telling lead singer Ronnie Van Zant that they would leave the tour unless they switched aircraft.

Cassie Gaines, the backup vocalist and sister of guitarist Steve Gaines, was so frightened that she preferred to travel in the cramped equipment truck instead.

Despite her fears, Van Zant convinced her to board the plane, believing that they couldn’t abandon their loyal Southern fans.

Tragically, this decision would seal their fate on October 20th.

After an electrifying concert in Greenville, the band members and crew boarded the aging airplane for a flight to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

At that time, Lynyrd Skynyrd consisted of a stellar lineup, including Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, Allen Collins, and Gary Rossington.

They were accompanied by drummer Artemis Pyle, bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell, and a trio of talented female backup singers known as The Honkettes.

As they boarded, Van Zant was heard telling Cassie, “If your time is up, your time is up,” a haunting premonition that would soon come true.

The flight began smoothly, but as they neared their destination, the pilots made a harrowing realization: they were low on fuel.

Desperation set in when the right engine failed, the same engine that had caused issues on their previous flight.

In a frantic attempt to transfer fuel from the left engine to the right, the flight crew accidentally jettisoned the remaining fuel into the atmosphere.

Panic ensued as they realized they didn’t have enough fuel to reach their intended airport, Mome Pike Airport, just a few miles away.

At 10,000 feet, with no fuel remaining, the left propeller also stopped working, and the plane began to plummet.

Passengers were largely unaware of the dire situation unfolding around them.

Ronnie Van Zant was curled up with a pillow, sound asleep in the aisle, having partied hard the night before.

Others were playing poker, trying to pass the time, blissfully ignorant of the impending disaster.

The moment drummer Artemis Pyle entered the cockpit, he was met with panic.

Pilot Walter McCre urgently instructed him to return to his seat, making it clear that the situation was dire.

A sense of anxiety spread throughout the cabin, as passengers sat in stunned silence, some praying for a miracle.

Guitarist Gary Rossington recalled a chilling noise that sounded like hundreds of baseball bats hitting the outside of the plane as it struck tree branches.

The aircraft went past the intended landing area, leaving them with no choice but to crash into a swampy wooded area.

As they grazed the treetops for nearly 1,000 feet, the noise grew louder until the plane came to a sudden halt, crashing into a thick grove of pine trees.

The impact tore the plane apart in a matter of seconds, throwing passengers out of their seats and onto the forest floor.

Rossington passed out during the crash, and when he regained consciousness, he found himself trapped under the plane’s door.

In a state of confusion, he looked around and realized the plane was completely destroyed, with the wings and tail torn off.

In a strange twist of fate, the absence of fuel, the initial cause of the crash, prevented the plane from bursting into flames upon impact, potentially saving many lives.

However, not all were so fortunate.

Ronnie Van Zant had often expressed a haunting belief that he wouldn’t live to see his 30th birthday.

His father recalled that Van Zant would frequently say, “Daddy, I’ll never be 30 years old.”

This unsettling premonition was shared among his fellow band members, with drummer Pyle recalling conversations about Van Zant’s fate.

Tragically, just 87 days before his 30th birthday, Van Zant lost his life in the crash, violently thrown from his seat and dying instantly.

The crash also claimed the lives of guitarist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, road manager Dean Kilpatrick, and both pilots, Walter McCre and William Gray.

While most survivors were seated toward the rear of the plane, no one escaped without serious injuries.

Keyboardist Billy Powell suffered severe injuries, including a nearly severed nose and extensive lacerations.

Gary Rossington endured multiple broken bones, while drummer Artemis Pyle suffered several broken ribs.

Despite his injuries, Pyle managed to navigate through the challenging terrain to seek help.

As darkness fell, he encountered a farmer who mistakenly shot him in the shoulder, believing him to be a threat.

After explaining the situation, the farmer rushed Pyle to his home, where emergency responders soon arrived.

In the aftermath of the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that fuel exhaustion and crew inattention were the primary causes.

Despite the tragic losses, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s legacy continued to resonate through music history.

In 1986, founding member Allen Collins was left paralyzed in a car accident, and he later died from complications in 1990.

Bassist Leon Wilkeson passed away in 2001, and keyboardist Billy Powell died of a heart attack in 2009.

The last remaining original member, Gary Rossington, passed away on March 5, 2023, marking the end of an era for the band.

With over 60 albums produced and more than 30 million copies sold, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains an enduring icon in rock music.

Their story is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of fate.

As fans continue to celebrate their music, the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd lives on, echoing through the halls of history.

If you found this story compelling, please consider sharing it to honor the memory of those lost on that fateful day.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.