The Untold Story of Buddy Holly's Fatal Plane Crash!

This is the untold story of the pilot mistakes that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP "The Big Bopper" killed in a tragic plane crash shortly after takeoff. The date would come to be known as the day the music died.

Be sure to check out the untold story of Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crash:

#aviation #flying #pilotdebrief

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[jeffreycarpp]

Glad to see that YouTube woke up and allowed your channel back on their site. Your debriefs are excellent and I think all pilots and especially students should watch your channel. Keep up the good work

[larryjohn]

I have been impressed with your reports for a long time. I am an Army Vet and private pilot. Finding out you were a jet fighter pilot and more didn't surprise me as your info is clear, concise, and relevant. Thanks for what you do sir!

[dsmith]

The Day the Music Died was never so clearly described until this video. Thank you Pilot Debrief!!!

[Jcozz]

Waylon was haunted by this for a long time. There is a line in one of his songs that goes “ don’t ask me about the years I spent out in the rain, about the ones I spent in love, or insane, don’t ask me who I gave my seat to on that plane, I told you that long time ago”

[jeffbrinkerhoff]

As a rock n roll geezer and aviation enthusiast this one grabbed me. Good work Hoovie.

[libbyvalley]

Nobody breaks it down like you. Such tragic experiences for all to learn from. Thanks for your expertise.

[IkeReedy]

Dude, welcome back I’m so happy to see another video!! I’ve been watching your channel for a little over a year!! 😊

[jasonbowen]

The saddest part of this story is that Roger Peterson’s name is not on the memorial. He was a young man with big dreams and aspirations like the others.

[Dollsanity]

I have notifications on for this channel and I was so glad to get notified that a new video was up!

[heyfitzpablum]

I'm an instrument rated private pilot and my instrument training was all done with the standard type of attitude indicator. I cannot imagine jumping into an airplane with the Sperry F3 gyro-indicator UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS where disorientation was very likely. Mr. Peterson must have been instantly disoriented as soon as he got above the runway lighting and into the snow. Very tragic.

[pikasso]

I am French and not bilingual but your phrasing and pronunciation are so good that I (think I) understand every single word without any problem and it makes your videos even more unique! Thank you so much!

[CLdriver]

That’s quite an eye opener. I didn’t realize, until you posted the pic of the Bonanza’s Attitude Indicator, how the young pilot could have become disoriented.

[gregoryknox]

I'm retired AA Airbus captain and I started flying at 15 yrs, now 18, 000 hrs flying. During my instrument training I had occasion to train on BOTH attiude indicators and after nearly rolling the plane using that old POS AI I refused to fly any of the trainers not updated. If I recall the old AI also indicated the turn was opposite what it was (turn left and the needle shows right) I can relate totally to the pilot. Also the briefer was negligent in not briefing the snow squalls .. I grew up in the midwest and at times during night you couldn't see any lights because the ranches were 80 miles apart = darkness up and darkness down nice post.

[jmevb]

Wow! I'm thrilled that you are back!

[wife]

HE HAS RETURNED!! stellar seeing you again hoov

[maryanngorman]

So glad you’re back. You are my favorite aircraft channel. Love your empathy, compassion and understandable explanations. Onward and upward.

[ccrider]

Great Debrief, as usual!

I asked a kid the other day if he knew what day was 'The Day The Music Died'.
He said "Yes, it was 10 May 1960".
I said: "Nope, it was February 3, 1959, the day Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP "The Big Bopper" died in a tragic plane crash."
The kid said: "Oh I thought it was 10 May 1960, the day Bono was born."

[TransAm]

This is one of the best Youtube channels I have seen. Always good observations and interesting analysis.

[robertthomas]

It was a 1947 aircraft. Very similiar to the '54 that I owned.
During training one of my instructors had a saying - "I'd rather be a day late than 30 years early." Another one - "I'd rather be down there wishing I were up here than up her wishing I were down there." I've always landed and sometimes spent the night at a motel if I didn't like the weather. I'm still here.

If they pushed that departure until the morning it would have been fine. They'd still be there. They didn't have to leave then.

[jefferyscherer]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos Hoover!! Excellent technical detail and research effort. Glad you’re back !! Keep up the great work!! I’m a 54 year aviator with the Wright Brothers Award for 50 or more years of accident flying. I was a US Naval Flight Surgeon on the USS Independence ( CV-62) in 1980-1982 and flew in EA-6B, KA-6D and S-3 aircraft as a Flight Surgeon on the Independence as well as H-3 Helos and P-3?Aircraft and Marine KC-130’s on shore. I’m a civilian CFII who still instructs in light aircraft. I have owned a Beech P-35 Bonanza since 1990 and still actively fly it. As you know, Flying is a challenging endeavor and a life long learning process. Your videos are helpful, entertaining and very educational. Keep up the great work!!