The day of the plane crash

Talk about Randy Rhoads here.

Moderators: Randy Perry, The Flying Dutchman, Stiltzkin, skezza, Trigger

Paul Wolfe
Mass Poster
Posts: 5272
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:19 am

Post by Paul Wolfe »

dogfall wrote: And the driver offered a ride to Rachael Youngblood ,this was suppose to be a short flight because she had a heart condition and any acrobatic flying stunts could have caused her to have an attack he knew that and it was discussed before they took off.

This was the only reason Randy agreed to fly because it was suppose to be short and safe for Rachael's sake as discussed.
I've heard people mention this before, and I ma wondering who is being quoted. Rudy says in his book that he was in the bus, so it can't be him who knew about any discussion. Do you know who it was that had talked to Aycock about the heart condition?

I've also heard a lot said about Randy's fear of flying. Some say that Randy had always been afraid of flying, but I have also heard that it was one specific incident that led to this fear. That incident being the Air Florida Flight 90 crash into the Potomic river in Washington, DC. The band was playing the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri that night, and as I recall the story, Randy was sitting in his hotel room watching the news coverage of the crash. According to the story, this incident scared him so bad he never wanted to get on a plane after that.
User avatar
brenton4you
Junior Member
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2007 5:06 pm
Location: California
Contact:

Post by brenton4you »

I am sure after the accident,,that a lot of people where asking a lot of questions(this is the part where RUDYS BOOK DOESNT ANSWER) I am sure he along with everyone else was telling there side of the story.Henceforth the reason RUDY says in his book what he says, about ANDY and HIS GF fighting and she lied about where she was when the crash occured. I BELIEVE the one to REALLY talk to is DON AIREY. He has been so shook up that even today he has doesnt talk about it. He along with JAKE knows the real story as they were there and they are still here to tell. NOT to mention the photos they took of the plane w/randy and racheal.
VERY SAD indeed ,,no matter what the story is.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE RHOADS
User avatar
The Flying Dutchman
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3681
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2006 4:03 pm
Location: Gotham City

Post by The Flying Dutchman »

RockyRhoads wrote:
dogfall wrote: And the driver offered a ride to Rachael Youngblood ,this was suppose to be a short flight because she had a heart condition and any acrobatic flying stunts could have caused her to have an attack he knew that and it was discussed before they took off.

This was the only reason Randy agreed to fly because it was suppose to be short and safe for Rachael's sake as discussed.
I've heard people mention this before, and I ma wondering who is being quoted. Rudy says in his book that he was in the bus, so it can't be him who knew about any discussion. Do you know who it was that had talked to Aycock about the heart condition?
This information must come from either Jake Duncan or Don Airey.
What I heard from someone at the Flying baron is that the 'woman' on board of that plane got panic.......... (this maybe explains the struggle as well)
RockyRhoads wrote:I've also heard a lot said about Randy's fear of flying. Some say that Randy had always been afraid of flying, but I have also heard that it was one specific incident that led to this fear. That incident being the Air Florida Flight 90 crash into the Potomic river in Washington, DC. The band was playing the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri that night, and as I recall the story, Randy was sitting in his hotel room watching the news coverage of the crash. According to the story, this incident scared him so bad he never wanted to get on a plane after that.
Thanks for that, this could be an explanation for sure.
I'm sure he had some fear for flying, most people have to some point.
But when reading Rudy's book it seems it was Randy who came with the idea to take a helicoper ride above the hudson river in New York. That's a bit odd for someone who was terrified of flying.......
The winner of the rat race is still a rat.
Paul Wolfe
Mass Poster
Posts: 5272
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:19 am

Post by Paul Wolfe »

I've heard that "panic" story as well. Something about someone on the ground could see that a struggle was going on in the cockpit.

Having never been close enough to a small plane flying low, I have difficulty imagining being able to see a struggle in the cockpit of a flying plane while on the ground. It just seems that the plane would be moving too fast to see that, unless you were specifically looking for it.

Having witnessed tragic accidents, I can understand coming up with a theory and having memories morph enough to incorporate that theory into fact. I'm not saying that no one saw a struggle, I am just saying that it is possible that this is yet another piece of the mis-information we'll never know for sure about.
User avatar
Six_Strung_Out
Cool Member
Posts: 156
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 6:32 pm
Location: United States Of America

Post by Six_Strung_Out »

The subject private plane was manufactured in 1955. All of the relevant data about that tragic accident is available in public reports posted by the Federal Aviation Administration.

If Randy really had a fear of flying, then, what compelled him to take a flight on such an old airplane?
Paul Wolfe
Mass Poster
Posts: 5272
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:19 am

Post by Paul Wolfe »

Six_Strung_Out wrote:If Randy really had a fear of flying, then, what compelled him to take a flight on such an old airplane?
Does the age of that plane really have anything to do with the crash? The wing cliped the bus because the plane was low. That could happen to a plane of any age.

If it was a 1955 plane it would have been 27 years old at the time of the crash. There are comercial airline planes older than that in use today.

I think Randy was less fearful of flying than everyone has been led to believe.
siro_angel
Mass Poster
Posts: 1093
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:28 am
Location: UK

Post by siro_angel »

Maybe he wanted to combat his fears ya know? Thats my theory!
"A man who aimed to bring his dreams to reality is not a fool, but the man who won't is."
User avatar
JNH
Junior Member
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2019 2:51 pm
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: The day of the plane crash

Post by JNH »

Just for the record.....Andy's autopsy proved he wasn't "gacked out of his head" on cocaine. TRACE AMOUNTS were found in his urine, but none in his bloodwork. What this means is cocaine can stay in the bloodstream for up to 18-24 hrs, whereas in the urine for up to 5-7 days. THIS is why they do random drug-tests through urine samples. If Andy did coke just prior to the flight or the night before, it would have shown up in his bloodwork!! And who's to say that big bag of coke found in the bus's console wasn't a band/group effort (minus Randy of course)? Could Sharon have asked Andy to hide the stash because she was playing "babysitter" and monitoring the partying on the after-show bus excursions?? We'll never know. I am distant friends with Andy & Wanda's daughter, and she paints a very different picture of her father than what the general public perceives of him. The 2 most important things in the world to Andy were his 3 young children and flying. Sadly, Wanda succumbed to cancer a few years back.....but she stated that even though her and Andy were estranged in their marriage, they were in the midst of patching things up and making another go of it at the time of the accident. They had both flown to Daytona Beach a week previous for a nice "get away" and mini-honeymoon. Right after the accident, Wanda became catatonic (paralyzed with shock) and had to be placed in a psych hospital/home for many years....she was never the same. Another thing i want to point out is Don Airey's claim of seeing a "struggle" going on in the cockpit.....lol, i don't buy it for a second. Back in the 80's i was a semi-pro photographer and shot a lot of NASCAR races. Here are cars going 180+ mph in a simple oval, yet even with a high-powered telephoto lens, i still couldn't really view what was going on in the driver's seat. Now, factor in a Beech Bonanza with small windows flying erratically on that final attempted pass/buzz at an est. speed between 140-180 mph banked in an extreme left-hand turn?? Literally impossible!! And why did Don Airey not include this important fact in his witness deposition to Officer Smalt?? Hmmmm.......
User avatar
GUITARIDOL5682
Mass Poster
Posts: 4756
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:42 pm

Re: The day of the plane crash

Post by GUITARIDOL5682 »

The crash is covered in conspiracy theories and I'm sure everyone who wasn't there has to make up what happened or go from eye witness reports. One guy who witnessed the crash and probably has a percentage of guilt is Ozzy's tour manager Jake Duncan. He had already been up in the plane with Don Airey abd gave it the approval for Randy to go up for a spin. It's his job to look after the band members on and off tour.. With this being a day off, was it good judgement to send him and Don up in the plane ?. Especially with Randy not liking flying at the best of times. Sharon took her anger out on Jake and as he was buckled up sobbing at the horrific site of the burning garage with 3 people inside. Sharon decides to whack him over the head with her shoe...Jake has never talked about that day and when asked about it he refuses to talk about it. I totally get why and it was a sad sad day for everyone who seen the accident unfold. The bag of coke which Tommy emptied into the woods was more then likely removed to stop any police asking questions. But it was Andy's and regardless of him being under the influence of drugs or not..His licence had expired and he shouldn't of took the plane up for any flights.
User avatar
GUITARIDOL5682
Mass Poster
Posts: 4756
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:42 pm

Re: The day of the plane crash

Post by GUITARIDOL5682 »

After a quick search on the internet i found this interview from the Scottish Herald from 2006. Some interesting remarks.
" Who have I worked with over the years? Bay City Rollers, Jethro Tull, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Wham! , Luciano Pavarotti, Black Sabbath, Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, Shania Twain, Franz Ferdinand and many others.
The year I spent with Ozzy Osbourne was one of the toughest. Our guitar player Randy Rhoads was killed in an air crash and I was standing there watching it happen. We were on our way from Atlanta to do a show in Florida. The tour bus driver had his pilot's licence and offered to take me and Don Airey up for a spin. So up we went. He seemed to know his stuff, doing stall turns and everything. He brought the plane back down and it was fine.
Randy said he fancied going up and Rachel Youngblood, she'd like to do it too. I took the pilot aside and said, "Take it easy up there." When they were up in the air I noticed they were coming in low.
He must have flown over my head at about 30ft. By then, he was flying on his side and the end of the wing punched a hole in the bus window. Then the plane suddenly flipped over and crashed through the roof of a garage. The whole thing went up in flames. All three of them were killed. I saw Ozzy years later and he blanked me. I don't blame him.
I understand why he did that, but he didn't see it happen.
It's an outwardly glamorous life. Let's just say, though, that the people who come into it solely to taste the glamorous life can't make sound check by the fourth day, they're so tired.
I have woken up many a time in a hotel room and had to look at the phone next to the bed - with the name and address of the place - to remember where I am.

I played drums one week for the Bay City Rollers when Derek Longmuir was ill. They paid me £30.00 I thought my ship had come in.
I hold a Fifa licence. I don't like the word agent, though. It smacks of someone who turns up, does a little bit of work and gets paid a lot for it. I'm not interested in making millions. I only want to make thousands.

I've had some hairy moments. Once Ozzy was arrested for urinating in front of the Alamo in San Antonio. I convinced the officials to give him bail by telling them that if he didn't play the venue that night they'd have a riot to contend with. After the show, state troopers escorted the tour bus out of Texas and over the state line into Oklahoma.

Doing this job has reduced my threshold of patience. I'm so used to getting things done quickly. Sometime I yearn for the nine to five, but at the end of the day I love what I do.
Paul Wolfe
Mass Poster
Posts: 5272
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:19 am

Re: The day of the plane crash

Post by Paul Wolfe »

Excellent read, Shaun... Thanks for posting
User avatar
GUITARIDOL5682
Mass Poster
Posts: 4756
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:42 pm

Re: The day of the plane crash

Post by GUITARIDOL5682 »

Paul Wolfe wrote:Excellent read, Shaun... Thanks for posting
Yeah some interesting nuggets of info in that one Paul.

I never knew Jake toured with them again, i thought $haron would of made sure of that.. I never knew Jake was responsible for getting Ozzy bailed after his Alamo antics.
User avatar
orion_damage
Mass Poster
Posts: 648
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Your Mom's

Re: The day of the plane crash

Post by orion_damage »

I can't recall reading an interview of someone that was in the first flight that morning.
User avatar
GUITARIDOL5682
Mass Poster
Posts: 4756
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:42 pm

Re: The day of the plane crash

Post by GUITARIDOL5682 »

orion_damage wrote:I can't recall reading an interview of someone that was in the first flight that morning.
I always thought the same but i googled Jake's name and found that snippet in The Herald newspaoer. It must be the first time he has mentioned that day. They tried to get him on board for the docu but he never replied back to any correspondence.
DoubleT
Junior Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:05 am

Re: The day of the plane crash

Post by DoubleT »

JNH wrote:Just for the record.....Andy's autopsy proved he wasn't "gacked out of his head" on cocaine. TRACE AMOUNTS were found in his urine, but none in his bloodwork. What this means is cocaine can stay in the bloodstream for up to 18-24 hrs, whereas in the urine for up to 5-7 days. THIS is why they do random drug-tests through urine samples. If Andy did coke just prior to the flight or the night before, it would have shown up in his bloodwork!! And who's to say that big bag of coke found in the bus's console wasn't a band/group effort (minus Randy of course)? Could Sharon have asked Andy to hide the stash because she was playing "babysitter" and monitoring the partying on the after-show bus excursions?? We'll never know. I am distant friends with Andy & Wanda's daughter, and she paints a very different picture of her father than what the general public perceives of him. The 2 most important things in the world to Andy were his 3 young children and flying. Sadly, Wanda succumbed to cancer a few years back.....but she stated that even though her and Andy were estranged in their marriage, they were in the midst of patching things up and making another go of it at the time of the accident. They had both flown to Daytona Beach a week previous for a nice "get away" and mini-honeymoon. Right after the accident, Wanda became catatonic (paralyzed with shock) and had to be placed in a psych hospital/home for many years....she was never the same. Another thing i want to point out is Don Airey's claim of seeing a "struggle" going on in the cockpit.....lol, i don't buy it for a second. Back in the 80's i was a semi-pro photographer and shot a lot of NASCAR races. Here are cars going 180+ mph in a simple oval, yet even with a high-powered telephoto lens, i still couldn't really view what was going on in the driver's seat. Now, factor in a Beech Bonanza with small windows flying erratically on that final attempted pass/buzz at an est. speed between 140-180 mph banked in an extreme left-hand turn?? Literally impossible!! And why did Don Airey not include this important fact in his witness deposition to Officer Smalt?? Hmmmm.......
One of the more level-headed and reasonable posts I've seen on the subject. Thanks.
Post Reply