The sound got louder and louder until Rossington was knocked unconscious he awoke some time later on the ground with the plane's door on top of him. Guitarist Gary Rossington recalls hearing what sounded like hundreds of baseball bats hitting the plane's fuselage as it began striking trees.

With the gravity of the situation clear, the passengers sat in silence, some praying. At some point the passengers became aware that something was wrong, and drummer Artimus Pyle recalls entering the flight deck and being told by a terrified pilot Walter McCreary to go back and strap himself in. Several other passengers passed the time by playing cards. Despite their efforts, at approximately 6:52 pm the plane skimmed about 100 yards (91 m) along the top of the tree line before smashing into a large tree and splitting into pieces near Gillsburg, Mississippi.Įarly in the flight, witnesses recall that lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant was lying on the floor with a pillow, having been up most of the previous night and being in need of sleep. As a last resort, they attempted an emergency landing in an open field about 300 yards (270 m) from where the plane eventually went down. Upon realizing that the plane had insufficient fuel, the pilots attempted to navigate to McComb Airport, about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of the eventual crash site in Amite County, Mississippi, but soon realized that the plane would not make it. The plane ran out of fuel near the end of the flight. They continue to play their hearts out for their fallen loved ones, as that is exactly what they would’ve wanted.On October 20, 1977, three days after releasing their album Street Survivors, Lynyrd Skynyrd performed at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium in Greenville, South Carolina, and boarded a Convair CV-240 airplane to take them to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they were to perform at Louisiana State University. Additionally, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many of the songs they’ve recorded throughout the years have become true southern rock anthems. Since 1977, the band has released nine more studio albums. In conclusion, the tribute tour proved they could go on. Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute tour 1987 / YouTube It wasn’t enough to keep them apart forever. The tribute show was a means of coming back together and doing what they love despite such a dark and grim experience had happened 10 years prior. While the plane crash undoubtedly shook the whole band and caused the parting of ways for some time, it did ultimately prove how strong they all were. Ronnie’s younger brother, Johnny Van Zant, would be taking the lead in place of his late older brother. The various members would take the time to pursue some side projects before coming back together for a tribute tour in 1987. After the crash, the band would go on a 10-year hiatus, and understandably so. The other 20 passengers on the flight survived the crash, but many experience severe injuries nonetheless. A 10-Year Hiatus and Reunion Lynyrd Skynyrd / Society of Rock This horrific accident would alter the course of rock music forever. We also remember that this plane crash claimed the lives of Skynyrd band member Steve Gaines as well. Ronnie was just 3 months shy of turning 30 years old when he died. Of course, no one believed him, but he truly knew what was meant to be. Reports say that Ronnie always told his friends and family that he would never live past the age of 30. The band would lose their frontman, Ronnie Van Zant. Cassie Gaines, who was part of Skynyrd’s background singers group, also died that day. The band’s assistant road manager, Dean Kilpatrick, also died. Pilot Walter McCreary, and co-pilot, William Gray both died in the crash. That plane crash would change everything for Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane crash / YouTube The Convair CV-240 plane would crash outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. They had to make an emergency landing, but they were unable to do so properly. However, the band and crew’s plane quickly began to run out of fuel after take-off while nearing the end of the flight. On October 20th, they had just finished up a show in South Carolina and were slated to be en route to Louisiana.

With this new music out, the band was traveling around the country to perform. Skynyrd had just released their fifth studio album called Street Survivors and their success was growing by the day. October 20th, 1977 was the day that Lynyrd Skynyrd would lose some vital pieces to the group in an incredibly tragic way.

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