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[–] someguyfromcanada [S] 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago  (edited ago)

On February 3, 1959, rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with the pilot, Roger Peterson. Soon after take-off, late at night and in poor, wintry weather conditions, the inexperienced and unqualified for instrument flight pilot lost control of the aircraft, a Beechcraft Bonanza, which subsequently crashed into a cornfield, leaving no survivors.

The event later became known as "The Day the Music Died", after singer-songwriter Don McLean so referred to it in his song ""American Pie". It has been rumored that the name of the plane was American Pie, although there is no evidence that it was. The Bonanza has been involved in several crashes with famous people on board and is nicknamed the "Dentist Killer" because it is a sexy and fast plane that can often get out of control by inexperienced pilots.

The Big Bopper may be seen on the other side of the fence in this image.

Source.

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[–] Bill_Brasky 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

One aviation rule came about as a result of this incident -- all charter pilots in the US must be instrument rated. The pilot of the plane on that particular flight was not trained or qualified to fly IFR, one of several factors causing the crash.