The Day The Music Died: Board Considers Reopening Investigation Into 1959 Plane Crash

“The Day The Music Died,” a phrase from Don McLean’s hit song “American Pie,” is thought to refer to the infamous 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. Interestingly, the National Transportation Safety Board is considering revisiting the investigation into that plane crash, now 56 years old.

Here’s the initial report filed by the NTSB.

The crash was considered a “pilot error” at first, but a letter from an experienced pilot suggested that a number of other factors should have been considered in the initial investigation. Those factors include weight calculations, balance calculations, fuel gauge readings and a rudder. It will probably be at least a year before the NTSB decides to look into the case.

Until then, watch a video of a Buddy Holly song made popular by the Grateful Dead:

[Via NTSB Blog]