How Ricky Nelson Saved His Twin Sons Before the Plane Accident That Took His Life

According to the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation, trouble developed during the flight.

The crew had experienced difficulties getting the cabin heater to operate.

Then smoke began appearing.

At approximately 5:08 p.m. Central Standard Time, while the aircraft was cruising at about 6,000 feet, a pilot contacted air traffic control and reported having a problem.

Controllers provided information about nearby airports.

Within minutes, the situation became far more serious.

At approximately 5:11 p.m., the crew reported smoke in the cockpit.

The pilots could no longer continue normally toward Dallas.

They needed to get the aircraft on the ground.

Fast.

The Emergency Landing

At approximately 5:14 p.m., the pilots attempted an emergency landing in a field near De Kalb, Texas.

The aircraft struck wires and a utility pole before continuing into trees.

It was heavily damaged by both impact and fire.

The two pilots escaped through the cockpit windows and survived, though they suffered serious injuries.

The seven passengers did not escape.

Rick Nelson was 45 years old.

Also killed were Helen Blair and five members of his band and touring party.

For Matthew and Gunnar, the news was devastating.

Matthew later told Larry King that he learned about the crash while listening to the radio.

Moments earlier, the station had been playing his father’s music.

Then came the announcement that Rick Nelson had died.

And there was another reality the twins had to process.

They had expected to be traveling with him.

What Actually Caused the Fire?

The accident quickly became surrounded by rumors.

One particularly damaging story suggested that drug activity aboard the aircraft had started the fire.

Federal investigators did not find evidence supporting that explanation.

The NTSB investigation focused heavily on the aircraft’s cabin heater and the area around it.