Posted on 03/07/2015 8:34:46 AM PST by Impala64ssa
... be hailed a hero for trying to avert disaster'
An investigation into the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and three others could now be reopened after a respected pilot brought forward new factors as to how the aircraft may have gone down.
At the time of the crash, the Civil Aeronautics Board ruled the probable cause of the crash was error by the pilot, Roger Peterson, who took off from Mason City to Moorhead, Minnesota, in inclement weather, even though he was qualified.
The chartered plane crashed in Iowa not long after takeoff, killing Holly, Peterson, and musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson.
Now L.J. Coon, an experienced pilot from New England, says a variety of other factors - such as weight and balance calculations, the rate of the plane's climb and descent, fuel gauge readings and the passenger-side rudder - should have been considered, according to The Globe Gazette.
The National Transportation Safety Board has agreed to consider reopening the investigation.
Coon's motivation was to 'the heroic effort that took place in those 4.9 miles' by the pilot, Peterson, before the plane crashed.
The plane had been in the air less than four minutes.
Coon received a letter from the NTSB saying they had received his call for a reinvestigation.
'You have gotten our attention. Let us do our due diligence in order to give you a proper answer,' the letter stated.
The NTSB will now determine whether or not the submission meets the requirements of a Petition for Reconsideration.
History and many other people believe that Peterson was the direct cause of the February 3, 1959 crash.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsw5wBIitfA Jackie DeShannon sings “Oh Boy”, Buddy’s song in 1964. Though it might be difficult to appreciate Holly’s impact on the music nowadays, now I understand more it’s originality and such. One can wonder what direction music could have gone in but that is just speculation. I like a lot of the oldies, pre-British invasion because a lot of the music had a real innocence to it imho.
Good post, it’s amazing, Buddy Holly did go on a tour of Australia. I’ve seen the pictures and some video.
Very nice, thank you for this.
I prefer that picture of Buddy and the boys to most of the others I have seen. Nerdy glasses notwithstanding, he looks more natural in jeans and a t-shirt than he ever did in a jacket and tie.
Surf Ball Room in Clear Lake Iowa or wherever it was, I know I said Mason Iowa and that seems to be wrong. So just correcting, it sounds like Clear Lake Iowa. https://www.surfballroom.com
And for the record, for those who don’t here, Buddy’s bass player passed away about a month ago: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6465694/joe-mauldin-bass-player-for-buddy-holly-the-crickets-dies-at-74
“Joe Mauldin, Bass Player for Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Dies at 74”
Buddy’s wife is still around: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/María_Elena_Holly
Beech Bonanza 35 with the v-tail.
The pilot error was in agreeing to take off in unsuitable conditions.
The Surf Ballrom is in Clear Lake, Iowa.
Famous for killing doctors, but I believe the tail problems were fixed a long time ago, and wasn’t a factor in the Holly crash.
I see that this guy Coon is wondering if it might have been a factor.
I suppose the wreckage was melted down after the investigation ended; have never heard.
Agreed. End of story.
I'm curious if the pilot was working for a Part 135 company or was he just free lancing, ...who owned the plane ?)
Just looked it up it was owned by a flying service...
DWYER FLYING SERVICE
Street MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
City MASON CITY
State IOWA Zip Code 50401
County CERRO GORDO
Country UNITED STATES
Surely they had some libality in dispatching the airplane/pilot into conditions they knew the pilot was not qualified to fly in.
( He had bustred a inst check ride just shortly before)
Yup. Those who don’t fly can’t understand how FAST things can get ugly when you’re flying VFR and lose visual contact with the ground. On that night, the safest altitude was probably the same altitude as a bar stool.
The what?
Should the pilot have refused to fly that plane?
>> Should the pilot have refused to fly that plane?
There are old pilots, and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots.
(I’m a 70 y.o. retired airline pilot)
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