Stevie Ray Vaughan 1990 Helicopter Crash

[@paulp8251]

I was at the concert which was amazing and unforgettable, the next day I was washing my car when I heard the news over the radio. I will never forget that concert and the day after. So sad. Just subscribed to your channel a week ago and this came up thanks for what you do!

[@fire12731]

Amazing that you were there at the concert

[@thadewraith6037]

I was ther too . Stayed in motorhome on site. Was kinda wild

[@colindeer9657]

How sad for you. Wow too how Steve had the dream . I am a big fan too. If I had such a dream, I’d be reluctant to get into a chopper, I know that. But I’m a Scorpio. We believe.

[@CoyWildo]

You’re thinking of la bamba

[@DwayneNixon]

I still miss Stevie Ray Vaughan, So tragic and such a brilliant talent.

[@Samsquanch870]

Did you know him personally?

[@wjatube]

I was out of town on a business trip. I decided to get a drink and listen to some music. I found a bar that sounded like it had a live band. I walked in and heard one of my favorite SRV songs being played. I was excited. Then in between songs the singer welcomed us to a tribute night for the "late great SRV" who died the night before! This was back in the days before the internet so I never heard the news. I was so overcome and shocked I left the bar and went back to my hotel room. Less than ten years before we lost another one of my favorite guitarists, Randy Rhodes, and it was difficult to fathom such losses for the world of music. Luckily their legacies live on through all of us.

[@hughobrien4139]

I was basic training when I was notified of the tragedy. A drill instructor asked who among us is from Texas. About five. He brought us forward. Thinking that we were about to get roasted on some level we all approached with trepidation. When we were front and center of the drill instructor he asked us if we knew who Stevie Ray Vaughan is? I was the only one out of about five or six of us. DI sent the others back to the crowd. Sgt Oman asked me what my favorite Stevie Ray Vaughan song is. Texas Flood I replied back. Quietly and respectfully he pulled me aside and informed me of what had happened earlier that morning. It may have been the only humanitarian example I had witnessed from a DI. He was upset and had true sorrow. I was shocked by the totality. I’ll never forget where I was when I learned this news. So many various emotions all wrapped up at once. I’ve always listened to any of the details surrounding this incident. This is a new take. Blinded by the light. Or lack there of. No doubt the man will live on in many of our hearts and in his music. Our Pride and Joy was cut too short.

[@andsoitbegins464]

Amen brother.

[@dylanput]

I was there....at both Saturday and Sunday's show. It was the first time I had ever seen Stevie and his performance changed everythnig I think and feel about music. I'll never forget saying to the carload of friends as we pulled out of the parking lot...."Man, someone is going to die in this foggy mess tonight." Never in my wildest dreams would I think it was going to be Stevie. RIP to the goat.

[@bluesguitar1973]

The loss to music was priceless. An incredible loss.

[@jonathanrickards8750]

Another classic short doc from the king of KZbin. Now I'll have a great Sunday

[@xFunTomCZx]

flying at night and in these conditions when being only able to fly VFR is just plain stupid

[@bills6093]

Well, an IFR rating doesn't make you immune to spatial disorientation, People experiencing SD don't believe their instruments, they believe what they feel.

[@juliedepaolo9971]

I'm old now and watched many videos on heli/plane crashes/private pilots. I'm sure there are many great pilots, but I will never fly with a private pilot again. Just too risky. I understand the dangers much better now.

[@jimmycline4778]

Same situation as Koby Bryant ,,Same results 😢

[@_r-a-f_]

That airport you showed on Google earth is not Midway. That's ORD O'Hare International. Midway southwest of downtown.

[@cojoe99]

I agree.

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

I realized that after it was too late. Dang!

[@carystorm1863]

Is he related to the Haggert Chevrolet dude?

[@pntbtr]

ya he mentioned it and not a big deal.

[@brycecrousore1985]

Forrest: With your love of aviation, a channel I follow is Blancolirio. As he would say, "if you are not instrument-rated, you have no business flying at night." What a senseless tragedy. Just prior to this accident, was front row in the orchestra pit at Northrup Auditorium in Minneapolis ... my ears are still ringing. He was newly-sober and of the three times I saw him, was more perfect than ever! Thank you for another great video, Forrest.

[@dertythegrower]

those 2 go hand in hand, similar explaining of the air accidents, in full detail

[@gemini-mg6sc]

Hey Forrest. Can you do the John Denver plane crash? The crash site is just off the coast of Pacific Grove, California

[@samholdsworth420]

I thought he crashed in the Rocky mountains 😅

[@Fcreceptor]

I’m pretty sure Forest already did John Denver? 🤔 It was California. Improper fuel device in an experimental aircraft and flying without a license due to DUI iirc

[@briancooper2112]

Denver took off in a plane he had no clue where fuel tank switch was. Same thing happened to Bong in P80.

[@livelyupmyself1]

⁠@@briancooper2112He definitely knew where it was. It was just placed behind him in a hard to access spot. (Not the intended spot which was between the pilots legs). It’s believed he accidentally pushed on the rudder when he turned around to switch between tanks and went into an unrecoverable dive.

[@suebee5225]

⁠@@samholdsworth420no he sang about the Rocky Mountains, but sadly crashed off the coast of California 😢

[@MrMattt28222]

Thanks for making this video, I have always wondered what exactly happened that night! Great job

[@ednieto05]

This is the best explanation and demonstration of how it happened I have seen so far. Well done! I really enjoy your channel! I was still in college when this crash happened and remember being shocked by the death of SRV.

[@aquaneeds]

Just want to add a bit of context here after reading a recent SRV biography. - Stevie did in fact want to drive, however he got a call from his then girlfriend that he was supposed to meet her and her parents for dinner later that evening. Hence why he took the quicker route. The road leading up to the venue is a two lane road and would’ve taken hours to leave after the concert. - According to Chris Layton (double trouble drummer) the helo pilot was a Vietnam vet who was a little too cocky in his flight ability and remarked that the conditions were nothing to worry about. - Originally the seat was supposed to be for Eric Clapton. Awesome video Forrest, keep em coming!

[@TheSolarplex]

So glad you did this one, really amazing work as always!

[@raynus1160]

Forrest - would you consider doing a video on the SS Edmund Fitzgerald - your commentary and attention to detail is amazing. Thanks again for rolling these out.

[@kless001]

Forrest you would do justice to the Edmond Fitzgerald and its crew. Thanks for all you do.

[@RustyZipper]

It wasn’t unsecured hatches as the report was skewed to avoid payout by the owner.

[@insertnamehere313]

​​@@RustyZipper Correct..McSorley was a heavy weather captain who would never head into a storm without secured hatches. No captain on the lakes thinks it was hatches. She suffered a stress fracture and the 2 large waves captain Cooper spoke of being the largest he's ever seen hit the Fitz from the stern and with a list made her take a nose dive. She didn't bottom out at the shoals because divers found zero evidence of a vessel striking bottom.

[@petercarr3686]

Saw Stevie at Newport Jazz Fest, Aug 16, 1990, then at a concert hall in town two nights later with Jimmie, then 2 hrs. later as a walk in at the local rock club nearby. Bragged to the crowd that he finally beat alcohol and drugs, and then a week later😢

[@bannedfromtheshow8188]

SRV is a Texas legend. I remember where I was when I heard the news on the radio. Very sad. Well done and thank you Forrest!

[@martinedwards4522]

me too... i was at work in disbelief.... seen him play twice in 90-91 ish

[@farmcentralohio]

Simple and to the point. Well done

[@johngargon8758]

Damn Forrest. Posting all kinds of goodies lately. Keep ‘em coming big man. Love your content.

[@jyellowhammer]

Victim of the infamous black hole!

[@heynowls3058]

Another sad day in rock and roll due to a crash. Darn. Thanks Forrest.

[@TBONEMCT]

I've been a subscriber for some time now. Great channel. SRV having a dream or premonition about his death just before his crash is chilling. R.I.P. to everyone lost onboard.

[@bills6093]

Were the other 3 pilots IFR rated? Or, more simply, why did they not have the spatial disorientation problem?

[@MrMattt28222]

That’s Ohare Airport you are showing , not Midway

[@48mastadon]

It's amazing how many rock stars have been ended by aircraft.

[@daleolson3506]

Why sue the helicopter,or engine manufacturing ?

[@dertythegrower]

cope and looking for money using irrational thinking

[@scotabot7826]

@@dertythegrower Or the Helicopter MFG." Makes no sense to me.

[@crazyralph6386]

Greedy lawyers.

[@mh53j]

Those companies have deep pockets; survivors think they can get more settlement money from them. These companies can also afford good lawyers and aren't going to settle if it wasn't their fault.

[@richardcopp]

The videos are coming thick and fast at the moment love them. Got to be looking at 100k subscribers soon. 👍

[@charlesharper2357]

It amazes me that commercial pilots are allowed to fly after dark without an instrument rating.

[@brendanl9937]

For helicopter commerical pilots I'm unsure of limitations for night night flight without an instrument rating. For airplane category commerical pilots there does exist a limitation for night flight without being instrument rated.

[@crazyralph6386]

Transport Canada is doing away with night flying ratings and just lumping it in with IFR instead. Makes sense, especially when it’s practically IFR on a moonless night in sparsely populated areas with no light.

[@fivehead6675]

@@brendanl9937no there is not. Even a private pilot a fly at night. But any non instrument rated pilot cannot fly during instrument flight rules/conditions day or night.

[@stu281]

Another quality production…nice one Forrest.

[@hartspot009]

I was lucky enough to meet Stevie exactly 1 month earlier in Anchorage Alaska after his performance at Sullivan Arena ( with Joe Cocker). He was so humble and generous. I have his autograph from that meet, and he wrote "To Ron and Julie All the best in love and life". I was deeply saddened when I heard of his death

[@sootchh4055]

Such a tragedy. I am a long-time fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan and was part of a tribute band member (I was the drummer).

[@ernestclements7398]

At the time my cousin was living quite close to the crash site, and was aware of a heavy amount of emergency traffic responding to the crash site but was unaware of the crash until later in the day, at the time it was common for performers to come and go from Alpine Valley by Helicopter due to its remote location and lack of hotel facilities ( in fact the only nearby location for people to stay was the Whitewater State Park Campground, which seeing as how there were concerts every week it was impossible for anyone to get a campsite there without having a reservation a year in advance) but the crash ended the practice, in fact the venue closed down for a year or two because the big acts refused to make the commute from either Milwaukee or Lake Geneva by car or bus and they could only book local bands that no one was interested in hearing.

[@imtoostonedtocomeupwithaus5976]

Your vids are the best.

[@frisk151]

Excellent job as always! Thou I had studied this crash when I was working toward my rotary certification, it would have been nice to be able to watch this back then... You are fantastic with the details..

[@curtc2194]

Was fortunate to see the late Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck concert in the late 80's in Ann Arbor...two legends may they both rest in peace.

[@Candlewait]

Absolutely fascinating Forrest. Thank you for all your work in bringing this to us.

[@bumper321]

You mentioned pitch darkness. Did helicopters in the 1990's not have lights to shine in front of the helicopter to help guide the pilot when flying at night?

[@bassfan41]

It's seems really surprising to me that with the weather conditions and that ski slope being there, that the pilots didn't bring that up to each other. I would think that sort of conversation would take place, especially since they were all flying to the same place. I don't know why, but I always thought it was an airplane crash that took place. Great video again, Forrest!

[@joefran619]

Pilot not experienced enough.

[@bassfan41]

@@joefran619 I caught that in the video, thanks

[@leggomyeigonosensei]

Thank you. I learned a lot. It was always in the back of my head that SRV had died in a helicopter crash but now I know much more. Very sad. RIP.

[@colindeer9657]

Have shared this video. Thank you.

[@SciTrekMan]

Thank you for posting this. Fascinating, if very sad, story. Interesting information about the cause of the crash you provided that I’ve been wondering about for decades. Just a minute or two of thought on the part of the pilot and this would have never happened. Similar in that manner to the pilot of Kobe’s helicopter. No thought about the situation, location or that there were hills nearby they both needed to get up and over before proceeding forward.

[@domcorleone66]

My brother and I were cleaning my parent's garage when we heard the news on WAPL 105.7. We looked at each other, shocked in what we were hearing. Thank you for your explanation. RIP, SRV.

[@johnringoo756]

Used to see him at a club called The Ritz in Manhattann on New Year's Eve 88 and 89. It was such a wild concert it was like being in a hurricane.. in 89 the club moved to uptown close to times square.. we debated going because we didn't want to deal with the crowds.. but we endured them anyway..he should have paid attention to his dream/premonition.😔

[@tyoung3455]

Well done Forrest, this channel is awesome! I never looked up what happened but remember it well. I was at work third shift at an airport at about 1am when we heard the news.

[@catbirdseat4849]

I subscribe to many KZbin channels covering a wide variety of things that interest me, but this channel is by far my favorite!

[@AllergicFungus]

You should give space shuttle Columbia a whirl! I would enjoy that one.

[@motorTranz]

May God comfort the families of those who perished. My sincerest condolences. Thank you Forrest.

[@LesGibby]

Hello.................I missed your channel...........I am glad to see you are back................and see a new vid..Honest and non biased

[@davidoverstreet6900]

Me and my brother happened to watch the last jam session on TV. WE WERE HUGE STEVIE RAY FANS. The next day the world got the tragic news.

[@daveblevins3322]

I was actually employed by that company during this accident time. The company no longer exists. They had poor leadership, and had many accidents.

[@motor8654]

That's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) , not Midway (MDW), FYI.

[@elizabethcross12]

Great video Forrest. Just discovered your channel and was very impressed. Well done! Bravo!

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Thank you for your comment 🙏!

[@ronwade2206]

That pilot is 100 percent to blame.

[@deckboat21]

Excellent documentary Forrest. Thank you.

[@jimmylance2844]

good to know you're still uploading after so many years!

[@campfire52]

Thank you (as always) for clarifying the details of another historical event. I have always been a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughn but I had never known the details of what caused the crash that killed him and the others (sadly.) It is always nice to know the full story so the memories are complete. I am always looking forward to your next video.

[@scottsbaitsandtackle]

I was in the Army when this happened! I had a friend who has since passed, who met and became friends with Stevie. He was there that night and was invited to fly back to Chicago in the helicopter. He said no he would ride the bus. I know that guy never flew before that and for sure not after. He went a lifetime and never flew! He always said since he was a little kid he would never fly and he didn't!

[@surveyordave]

why do people sue the helicopter co. and even the engine builder???

[@michaelcanney7218]

Greatest guitar player ever

[@martinedwards4522]

yep

[@mydogkodi]

Any chance for a Roswell crash site video? Or any other reported ufo sites/ stories? As always great work Forrest, love your videos

[@BillGreenAZ]

Yes! That would be great!

[@MrAeroled99]

WOW. I just searched about the crash and could not find info on the speed of the helicpter. I wanted to know if it ended fast and there was no pain or stress knowing of what they were facing. Thanks Forrest for telling us in the video. some details are very important.

[@shtshowcher8572]

Another awesome video. Thank you!

[@IowaSheepdog]

My wife and I were at the concert the night before on the 25th and we remember how foggy it was that night. I remember telling her I had a bad feeling about it. As for the concert that night, Stevie played an awesome set, as did Eric. Jeff Healey even made an appearance for a couple of songs. It was a great concert and we were fortunate to see him one last time before his tragic end. R.I.P. SRV.

[@777pilotforfun]

Very good description. Don’t get into an aircraft with a pilot without an instrument rating, especially at night

[@WmONH]

Your video incorrectly identified O’Hare not MIDWAY.

[@monexpo86]

Dude you went to Ohare not midway

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

I don't see why they sued _Bell_ {helicopter manufacturer} and _Allison_ {engine manufacturer}. Both _Bell Jet Ranger_ helicopters and the _Allison_ [now Rolls Royce] _250_ turboshaft engines that power them are ubiquitous to Aviation.

[@FarkyDave]

Love your videos, Forrest!

[@Stevo_Drums]

Another great report, Mr. H

[@proudbirther1998]

Excellent Video of what happen!

[@zx9green791]

One of my favorite channels

[@DevilDaRebel]

Informative video as always.

[@jmead6121]

6 souls Lost That Nite we never know when or how Rip All & al ways Love Stevie Ray Vaughn style & Music

[@slainteron4027]

As always I enjoy your videos

[@bbone1418]

I was at the show, and left during the final jam (I still give my wife a little grief on occasion for making us leave early), to drive to our hotel Lake Geneva. The fog was absolutely as thick as pea soup. The drive was very frightening because I could barely see ahead, but was afraid to slow down too much and get rear-ended, and we were quite relieved when we got to the hotel. We were not surprised when we heard that Stevie's helicopter crashed right after take-off, as the dense fog left no room for error. After that, for shows we would stay at that little motel in East Troy (the Crossroads?).

[@goodtimefolkrock]

hi Forrest, thank you for your well researched videos. I always look forward to them . did you ever do Jim Croce?

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Not yet.

[@geraldinefields1730]

Thank you.

[@BruleWanderer]

So.......I was part of the helicopter investigation team that flew and simulated the accident. A couple of things - the pilot had over 5300 hours total time, and 2603 pilot in command, and WAS instrument rated, but did NOT complete the helicopter instrument cpurse, which is 10 hours of ground and about 15 flight hours. Doesnt mean he did not know how to fly innstruments - he wasnt doing an approach, this was a takeoff into conditions NOT known by the pilot. However the instruments in the Bell 206 are generally the same as a fixed wing aircraft. Most likely Omniflight did not require the helicopter course for some reason. Despite the darkness and fog, what the pilot failed to do is execute an ITO - INSTRUMENT TAKEOFF. He did not anticipate the top of the ridge. He could have attained 1,000 feet easily before even being in the vicinity of the ski hill and ridge had he just executed the ITO. That means pulling max power on the collective and gaining max height BEFORE turning. In other words, going nearly straight up vertically as if in a hover, going UP. He did not, and instead transitioned forward, and then turned right and impacted the ski slope WITHOUT GAINING MAX HEIGHT. The ITO would have pit them well above the top of the ridge while near the parking lot, without any problem. The ITO would have given them 600-700 feet up well before the turn. All he had to do is keep wings level and monitor the altimeter for altitude, BEFORE the turn to the right.

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Thank you for sharing. This is good to know!🙏

[@panheadsforever74]

Well said

[@XxHarmony63Xx]

What a sad, sad day for all involved. RIP gentleman.

[@keliiokamalu11]

That's so sad Stevie was my first concert I was in the 4th grade. It was at Aloha Stadium he was the first band to play headlining ZZ TOP . I still remember it he was so good wish he was still here love his playing it was like watching his soul come threw his guitar ❤❤

[@ledzep75254]

Hi, I wanted to ask if you would make a video about Liam Payne.

[@mossycreektennessee6528]

the day the music really died

[@chadman1231]

Can you do the Marshall University Plane crash in 1970? Huntington, WV

[@AirTales]

Interesting video, you are showing O'Hare, not Midway though... Or did you mean to say O'Hare?

[@thecameramantraveler4830]

2:55 i want to point out a mistake you made while using google earth. that airport is actually O'Hare international airport, not midway. Midway is a little smaller then O'hare

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

I realized that when it was too late. I put a correction in the description below the video.

[@clinthowe7629]

why do they file a lawsuit against the helicopter and engine manufacturer? it should be thrown out as frivolous lawsuit, the helicopter service company yes, because their bad weather policies should have been well established, and they shouldn’t have been allowed to fly in weather like that.

[@nuandlarry]

What comet is that at 6:12? A3?

[@forresthaggertychannel4301]

Not sure!

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

Nice job man.

[@scottnelson2384]

FYI no biggie - you said Midway but you showed O'Hare International. Midway is down on the SW side off 55th street.

[@robertparazaider1958]

Thats so sad sorry to hear.

[@RickyClark-rp5jj]

The truth being, the pilot was an idiot. He should have never allowed these important people on board That night. From what I under stood it had a bad rain storm. And he took the last seat on board. In a hurry, maybe I'm wrong about the rain storm. Rest in peace Stevie God bless 🙌 🙏 God speed 🙌 🙏 to all that lost their lives that night 🌙 🙏 ❤️ 😢 💙 🙌.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

Not only that' Clapton should have been on that helicopter since his bodyguard was. Clapton was supposedly the main attraction that night until SRV rightfully stole the show' so it makes a person wonder. If Clapton had been on the helicopter instead' SRV would have continued dominating Clapton and probably would have still been here and wouldn't be missed as no one really cares about Clapton and what he's doing today with his music. So yeah it makes a person really wonder what the motive was behind Clapton not getting on the helicopter especially when his bodyguard was on it.

[@daniellinehan63]

​@@BryanClark-gk6ieClapton is an icon

[@brandonb3593]

I always love it when a new Haggerty video is released.

[@stevetucker9181]

How can you get a commercial license without being instrument rated?

[@rustydelorean6405]

Great video!

[@Rick-ro8bf]

You showed the wrong airport. Other than that, great vid. I'm a huge SRV fan!

[@derekjlight]

Forrest: would love to see videos on the following: the plane crash/death of Dollie Sintra (Frank Sinatra's mother) and the plane crash/death of Dean Martin (son of the actor).

[@MaxZomboni]

Kobe Bryant situation. Helicopter pilots can't tell rich and famous people that conditions are not right to take off. At least not at that time, and probably not now either.

[@raccoon874]

the weather conditions were NOT A FACTOR in this crash

[@MaxZomboni]

@@raccoon874 Sorry, I will take the NTSB's word over yours. I think they have a little bit more experience then you do.

[@beachrose88]

never never should have flown .and pilot knew it

[@nadiazahroon6573]

Good morning Mr. H. Good to see you again. Why are the best always taken too soon? Happy holidays to you sir.

[@WesBell-l4s]

I saw that show in Knoxville,TN. Stevie Ray had just died. I almost got to see SRV! Saw Clapton, and that was great,but wished SRV had been there!