From the archives: John F. Kennedy Jr., wife and sister-in-law killed in 1999 plane crash

On July 16, 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and his sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette, were killed in a plane crash near Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their bodies were found five days later. Dan Rather anchored a CBS News Special Report on the initial breaking news and search and rescue efforts on July 17, 1999. "CBS Evening News" covered the news of the bodies found on July 21, 1999.

#news #jfkjr #archives

[allys]

I hope this doesn’t sound insensitive, but I’m a bit relieve that Jackie passed away a few years before her son. If she had lived to see this plant crash, it would’ve destroyed her, especially since she spent years shielding her children and trying to give them a normal life after she lost her husband. Jackie was a strong resilient woman, but she endured too much in her life. She would’ve been able to bear the news that her own son was killed.

[melodymacken]

I feel sorry for the mother who lost 2 daughters.
RIP. Unforgettable.

[christineleblond]

Don't ever fly with anyone who is not certified in using instruments only (night flying).

[Baileya]

Mind boggling recklessness . Imagine being the mother of those two young women. Heartbreaking!

[RogerPeet]

JFK Jr was not qualified to fly that plane, at that time. Did his ego get in the way ?

[samanthab]

This was unimaginable. Such a tragedy. Can’t believe it’s been almost 25 years. 🙏🏻❤️

[hariseldon]

His Kennedy ego killed him and the Bessette sisters.He should have obeyed his mother and never become a pilot.

[kathleen]

When my mother turned on the tv, this was the first broadcast we saw. I hurt for the Bessette family.

[edubois]

Planes crash for multiple reasons. However, he should not have been flying alone. He was not experienced enough.

RIP to all. They had terrifying last minutes alive.

[zekeonstormpeak]

He had no business flying at night over water. Spatial disorientation is a killer. He was not instrument rated. The sky and water had no decipherable horizon. The combination killed them. No conspiracy here.

[susanbraukhoff]

I remember that day like it was yesterday. So sad

[jimmyrecce]

John should have never been allowed to take off considering the weather...he wasn't instrument certified and had no business flying in the dark of night...he only was licensed to fly during daylight hours because if his rating...if it would have been anyone else they would have never been allowed to take off from that airport...but given the fact he was JFK Jr. He was allowed to take off...they know pretty much it was pilot error....I the kind of the conditions he was flying in he needed to be instrument certified and he wasn't....

[bufnyfan]

Unfortunately, Lauren Bessette wasn't going to fly on this flight, but her sister asked her to try to mediate a "peace" between her and JFK Jr. Their marriage was on the verge of collapsing and the hope was this trip/wedding would start some kind of reconciliation.

[Tomangel]

Instrument rated here, I have been out that way at night with family on board over that water SEL after a flight in from Syracuse, NY to Groton, CT and you have your work cut out for you. This is heart breaking to remember this. RIP

[amberrae]

25 years today and I still remember this like it was yesterday. Such an unavoidable tragedy 😥😫

[tanyafrida]

Every flight instructor should emphasize three things. I don't know what the other two are, but one of them should be: Never, ever, ever think you are so good that you won't possibly be affected by spacial disorientation in inclement weather.

[HomeAtLast]

This was back when the news media still had a shred of credibility.

[keyowilson]

I did not realize that Rear Admiral Larrabee was on the 62nd floor of the first WTC tower on 9/11. He did survive.

[Purplenpinkk]

Under what circumstances do you not have to file a flight plan?

[ElvisPresley]

1 of those tragic days that everyone who was alive and at least 10 years old, would remember where they were and what they were doing