The TERRIFYING Last Minutes of Rick Nelson

On December 31, 1985, American singer and actor Rick Nelson, his fiancee, 4 members of his 'The Stone Canyon' band, and his road manager were set to fly to Dallas for a New Year's Eve celebration at the Park Suite Hotel. But 3 hours and 8 minutes into their journey, at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the flight crew contacted Fort Worth Center with a concerning message: “I think I’d like to turn around, head for Texarkana here. I’ve got a little problem". The air traffic controller provided the crew of N711Y with directions to several nearby airports. However, shortly after, tragedy struck.

Watch more Tragic Stories:

Written and Edited by Tragic Stories
❓ DISCLAIMER: The clips and pictures used in this video are a mix of paid stock, by attribution, royalty-free, public domain, and other copyright-free sources and are used in accordance with the YouTube Fair Use copyright guidelines and section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. No copyright infringement is intended.

[Kathyjohnson-ukwp]

Around Christmas that year, Rick Nelson was supposed to perform in a bar nearby. My husband was a huge fan but I could not talk him into going to see the performance; even trying to reason with him that he might not get another chance. The bar was just down the street from where we lived. What a shock it was when we heard about the plane crash. So tragic!

[GraceBryant-tufe]

He was so handsome and talented. I met him behind stage when I was 22. 1979. I was speechless in his presence. My friend was his photographer

[jerryburr]

I remember this like it was yesterday!! My wife and I and our two sons were planning to spend New Years Eve at our home in Mesquite, TX. The Dallas FM radio station KLUV, 98.7, was broadcasting a live musical celebration hosted by Hubcap Carter. The highlight of the evening was to be a performance by Rick Nelson and his "Stone Canyon Band". We spent the evening listening to Hubba spinning his oldies and building the anticipation of the arrival of the headliners. We danced with our 7 and 2 year old boys and told them all about Rick and they were excited. Then, Hubba came on the air and tearfully told us all of the tragedy. Our kiddos didn't fully grasp the finality so we tucked them into their beds and gave each one their goodnight kiss. I remember my wife and I going into the living room, sitting on the couch and shedding tears. It was another story of the often sad history of Rock & Roll! RIP to all who perished that evening.

[abigailfoster]

I had such a huge crush on Ricky Nelson when I was a little girl. The Nelsons was one of the first shows to be seen on television when it came to Australia.

[bobbigger]

As a child I was a big Rick Nelson fan and bought all of his recordings. Years later I sang with several local bands and loved singing Rick’s songs. At the time of the plane crash I was a radio dj for WCSL radio in Cherryville, NC. I was driving the 18 miles to the radio station around 4 that morning and heard on the radio about the tragedy. I turned around, drove back home, got my copy of the 45 rpm single “Hello Mary Lou “ and drove to the station. On my program I announced the news of the crash and played the record on the air. Prior to the crash, I aired Rick’s fantastic version of “Dream Lover.” Rick also recorded a great version of “Gloomy Sunday.”

[anitaford]

How awful!! 😢 I'm a huge believer to "go with your gut" instinct, no matter what! Especially if you're in fear of your safety and life! That's why we have instinct! That weird feeling may not feel logical, but there's a dann good reason it's there!!

[marksamuelsen]

I remember watching Ozzie & Harriet when I was a kid. When he died I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Very Sad Day

[leslieking]

I was at a New Year's Eve party when a neighbor came running in to tell us he had just heard this on his car radio. Very sad.

[mikerepairsstuff]

This info. about Rick Nelson is news to me. And really appreciate learning about him even in so many years later.

[jessicaboisvert]

This was very interesting and thanks for sharing this.

[curiouslyme]

Very sad. Ricky was very talented & adorable.

[JamesCook-uh]

Unsafe planes killing musicians.seems a common theme

[MieLandell]

So sad that he died😢and 6 others to becuse off the plain crasch😢😢❤❤hope they rest in peace all off them😢😢😢❤❤❤his music live forever😢😢❤❤❤

[justinmorgan]

Based on how the bodies were found clustered by the cabin door, it sounds like the pilots fled the cockpit without taking a few seconds to unlock the cabin door. Maybe if they’d done that, the passengers could have egressed through the cockpit windows too, and survived.

[Larrymh]

"If memories were all I sang, I'd rather drive a truck.". I love that lyric.

[terryblack]

My fiancé and I were at the hotel’s New Year’s Eve party waiting on Rick and his band. I don’t remember the time the plane accident was announced. Out of respect for Rick and his band, a replacement band playing oldies arrived and played for a couple hours. They left to play at the hotel where they were originally booked. I don’t remember the name but they were very good and popular in Dallas. We had heard them live many times.

[lasalleman]

Can't understand why rock stars insist on private aircraft and then decide to buy something cheep.

[robynjones]

I was at the New Years Eve party in Downtown Dallas the night that happened, The host of the party that night just told us Rick Nelson’s plane crashed. And after that 1986 was born it did not start off very well that’s for sure, one of the worst years of my life.

[juliestrom]

My friend met him in India. He said he was a great guy and they they all drank too much. He said he was a nice guy he got the vibe he was trying to shake off his teenage deal. I thought Garden Party was an absolute gem as so was he. 🎇🎆

[sharonhoyt]

I was living in Dallas at this time and remember it very well. Sad ending for a man I had grown up watching.