On December 31, 1985, rock and roll icon Ricky Nelson tragically lost his life when his privately owned Douglas DC-3 aircraft crash-landed near De Kalb, Texas. The crash claimed the lives of Nelson, his fiancée Helen Blair, and five members of his Stone Canyon Band. The two pilots survived but sustained serious injuries.
What Caused the Crash?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the crash was caused by an in-flight fire originating in the cabin. Although the exact ignition source couldn’t be definitively identified, investigators pointed to the aircraft’s gasoline-powered cabin heater as the likely culprit. This heater had a history of malfunctioning, and both pilots reported issues with it during the flight. Co-pilot Kenneth Ferguson noted that the heater’s overheat light activated multiple times, leading to repeated cycles of shutting it off and turning it back on. Eventually, smoke filled the cabin, prompting an emergency descent attempt .
The Aircraft’s Troubled History
Nelson had purchased the 1944 Douglas DC-3 in May 1985. The aircraft had previously belonged to the DuPont family and musician Jerry Lee Lewis. Despite its storied past, the plane was beset with mechanical problems under Nelson’s ownership. Band members expressed concerns about its airworthiness, citing incidents like engine failures and emergency landings. Some even voiced fears to their families about flying in it, with one member reportedly stating he felt he would die in that airplane .
Debunking the Drug Rumors
In the aftermath of the crash, rumors circulated that drug use, specifically freebasing cocaine, might have caused the fire. These allegations were fueled by toxicology reports showing traces of cocaine in some victims, including Nelson. However, the NTSB found no evidence of drug use during the flight or any drug-related paraphernalia on board. The board concluded that the fire was not ignited by passengers using drugs .
Pilot Actions and NTSB Criticism
The NTSB criticized pilot Brad Rank for not adhering to standard emergency procedures. He failed to follow the in-flight fire checklist, opened fresh air vents (which should have remained closed to prevent feeding the fire), did not instruct passengers to use supplemental oxygen, and did not attempt to combat the fire with the cockpit’s handheld extinguisher. While these actions might not have prevented the crash, the NTSB stated they could have increased the passengers’ chances of survival .
A Legacy Remembered
Ricky Nelson was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. His death marked a significant loss in the music world, as he was a pioneering figure who successfully transitioned from television fame to a respected music career. Posthumously, Nelson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in the industry
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