What is lynyrd skynyrd plane crash?

On October 20, 1977, a Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash occurred in a swampy area near Gillsburg, Mississippi. The band's chartered Convair CV-240 ran out of fuel, leading to a catastrophic impact.

The crash resulted in the deaths of six people, including Ronnie Van Zant, the band's lead singer and primary songwriter; guitarist Steve Gaines; vocalist Cassie Gaines (Steve's sister); assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick; and both pilots, Walter McCreary and William Gray.

Twenty others survived, including the remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, though they sustained serious injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation concluded that the plane ran out of fuel due to pilot error and inadequate pre-flight planning. There were also allegations of drug and alcohol use by the pilots, which contributed to the situation. The crash brought a sudden and tragic end to the band's meteoric rise to fame and had a profound impact on the world of rock music.