February 3, 1959.
The non-instrument rated commercial pilot lost control of a 4-seat Beechcraft Bonanza in a snow storm shortly after take off from Mason City, Iowa. He had failed the instrument check ride (practical test in FAA-speak) at least once prior to the accident.
A major revision to the Part 135 regulations (air taxi or charter) happened as a result of this accident. One new requirement was Charter pilots must be instrument rated. Funny how someone famous has to be killed in order to effect change.
The Winter Dance Party
The 2011 Winter Dance Party is in full swing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake right now.
I liked the movie "La Bamba". The one about Ritchie Valens. Were there any others made about the other fellows that were with him? And I believe the guy that gave his seat up for Ritchie was Waylon Jennings, one of my moms favorite country singers. 🙂
> I liked the movie "La Bamba". The one about Ritchie Valens. Were there any others made about the other fellows that were with him? 🙂
There was the "Buddy Holly Story", a TV movie starring Gary Busey.
> There was the "Buddy Holly Story", a TV movie starring Gary Busey.
Thanks, Steve. 🙂 I'll have to see if Netflix has that one when I get back to the mainland.
I have an original Richie Valens 45, "Oh Donna" and "La Bomba" on the flip side. Alas, I no longer have a working turntable. Something to do in my old age, get all my records converted to digital.
Paul in PA
Steve,
I believe that film was a commercial release as Gary Busey was nominated for an Oscar in 1979 for his role.
Ryan.
You probably are correct. I do remember watching it on TV.
I met Gary Bussey operating the T-Bar at Mammoth Mountain in 1982. He visited in May or June (yes we had a late year that year, plenty of Snow and a foot fell one day in June).
He was a really nice guy; sort of a friendly country boy.
I also met Wonder Woman (can't remember her name, Linda something).
The original plan was for Holly, Waylon Jennings and Tommy Allsup to fly to Fargo.
Waylon Jennings gave up his seat to J.P. (the Big Bopper) Richardson because Richardson had the flu.
Ritchie Valens had never flown in a plane. He bugged Tommy Allsup to let him have the third seat until Allsup agreed to flip for it. Valens "won" the toss.
When Holly heard that Waylon Jennings would be riding the bus instead of flying, he said, in jest, "Well, I hope your ol' bus freezes up" and Jennings responded, also in jest, "Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes".
[flash width=640 height=390] http://www.youtube.com/v/4r4_8pjJPxo?version=3 [/flash]
Coroner’s reports, autopsy reports and death certificates
In 2007, the Big Bopper’s son had his body exhumed and re-examined to dispel rumors that, A) the Big Bopper had gunshot wounds (he didn’t) and B) the Big Bopper had survived the crash and tried to go for help (he hadn’t).
