The tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of several Lynyrd Skynyrd members on October 20, 1977, was not without its preceding anxieties and ominous signs. The Convair CV-240 aircraft, which had been chartered by the band, was a source of considerable unease for some of those who flew on it. These concerns ranged from direct observations of mechanical issues to vivid premonitions and general apprehension about the aircraft's condition. The band had already
decided that the flight to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, would be their last on the Convair, planning to acquire a Learjet to replace the 30-year-old plane, indicating a collective acknowledgment of its shortcomings.
Direct Observations of Mechanical Issues
One of the most concrete warnings came from Mark Howard, a survivor of the crash. He had expressed reluctance to fly on the Convair after witnessing a six-foot flame shoot out of the right engine during a previous flight. Such an observation would naturally instill fear and doubt about the aircraft's reliability. This was not an isolated incident of concern regarding the plane's operational status. The very same Convair CV-240 had been inspected by Aerosmith's flight personnel for potential use on their 1977 American tour. However, Aerosmith ultimately rejected the aircraft, deeming both the plane and its crew unsuitable.Zunk Buker, Aerosmith's assistant chief of flight operations, reported seeing the pilots, Walter McCreary and William Gray, sharing a bottle of Jack Daniel's during the inspection. This detail, combined with the assessment of the aircraft itself, led Aerosmith to pass on chartering the Convair. The Aerosmith entourage was reportedly shocked upon learning of the crash, especially since Steven Tyler and Joe Perry had initially pushed for renting that specific aircraft for their tour. These prior assessments and observations paint a picture of an aircraft with known issues and a crew whose professionalism was questioned, all before Lynyrd Skynyrd's fatal flight.
Personal Fears and Premonitions
Beyond mechanical concerns, several individuals associated with Lynyrd Skynyrd experienced profound personal anxieties about flying on the Convair. Cassie Gaines, a backing vocalist who tragically died in the crash, was so fearful of flying in the aircraft that she had initially planned to travel in the cramped truck used to transport the band's musical equipment. However, lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant convinced her to board the plane on the day of the accident, reportedly telling her, "If the Lord wants you to die on this plane because it's your time, it's because it has come. Come on, let's go. We have a concert to play."Another backing vocalist, JoJo Billingsley, who was not on the flight due to medical treatment for substance abuse issues, reported a chilling premonition. Two nights before the crash, Billingsley had a vivid dream of the plane crashing, seeing screams, tears, and fire. She described the dream as "too real" and, in its aftermath, desperately pleaded with founding guitarist Allen Collins over the phone not to continue using the Convair. Her dream was so impactful that she felt compelled to warn the band, highlighting the deep sense of foreboding that surrounded the aircraft.
