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60 years ago, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson died when their Beechcraft Bonanza crashed after a distance of only 6 miles from the Mason City, Iowa airport on their way to Fargo, ND.
From an eyewitness, the plane took off normally at 12:55AM and reached an altitude of about 800' when its taillights were seen quickly descending.
Not hearing from the pilot for several hours, the owner of the plane took off in another plane to retrace the route. At about 9:35AM, the wreckage was spotted.
It appeared the plane's right wing hit the ground first, causing the plane to cart-wheel for several hundred feet.
The bulk of the plane ended up propped along a fence. Holly & Valen's bodies were nearby. The pilot was in still within the plane. Richardson's body was ejected several feet beyond the fence line.
All died via numerous broken bones and trauma (not too mention it was below freezing).
It was the first of the famous airplane deaths during the rock era.
From an eyewitness, the plane took off normally at 12:55AM and reached an altitude of about 800' when its taillights were seen quickly descending.
Not hearing from the pilot for several hours, the owner of the plane took off in another plane to retrace the route. At about 9:35AM, the wreckage was spotted.
It appeared the plane's right wing hit the ground first, causing the plane to cart-wheel for several hundred feet.
The bulk of the plane ended up propped along a fence. Holly & Valen's bodies were nearby. The pilot was in still within the plane. Richardson's body was ejected several feet beyond the fence line.
All died via numerous broken bones and trauma (not too mention it was below freezing).
It was the first of the famous airplane deaths during the rock era.