Most people believe John Denver ran out of gas on that plane because he was careless. But the truth is much more haunting. A single fuel switch was placed in a spot that was nearly impossible to reach without losing control of the plane.
The music world lost a giant in 1997 but pilots lost a brother. John Denver was a skilled pilot with thousands of hours in the sky. Yet he was trapped in a cockpit that felt like a puzzle.
Watch below how this awkward movement caused him to kick the floor pedals by mistake:
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One viewer noted that it is heartbreaking to realize such a talented man died because of its customized design. Another person mentioned that they always felt there was more to the story than just pilot error. Fans still feel the sting of this loss.
While the crash was a tragedy of engineering, the plane itself was actually a marvel of speed and grace. To understand why John Denver loved this specific aircraft, you have to look at the plane called ‘Long-EZ’ and its strange forward wing design.
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The Long-EZ was built to be a fuel efficient plane that could fly 2,000 miles on a single trip. It used special materials that made it light and very fast for its size. However, because these were home built kits, every owner could move the buttons and switches wherever they wanted. This freedom is exactly what created the trap for our favorite singer.
John Denver’s voice carried the spirit of the mountains and his journey reminds us to cherish every moment. He was a man who chased the clouds until the very end. Follow John Denver on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to keep learning the deep stories behind the legends of the music.