After 56 Years, New Information Surfaces About 'The Day The Music Died'

The accident was memorialized in Don McLean's "American Pie" as "The Day The Music Died". On February 3, 1959 Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens were fatally injured in an accident on their way to a concert in Clear Lake, Iowa. Pilot Roger Peterson, 21, was also fatally injured.

The wreckage of the chartered Beechcraft Bonanza was discovered early the next morning about five miles from Iowa's Mason City Municipal Airport. At the time, the Civil Aeronautics Board determined that the cause of the accident was spacial disorientation. Peterson was reportedly not IFR qualified, and the weather was bad the night of the accident.

Now, New England resident L.J. Coon, who the Des Moines Register says describes himself as a retired pilot, aircraft dispatcher, and FAA Test Proctor, has petitioned the NTSB to reopen the investigation, and his request is being seriously considered. Coon says he has uncovered new information about contributing factors that might clear the name of the pilot.

On February 19, the NTSB wrote to Coon saying "you have gotten our attention" with his new data, which may include evidence of an inoperative right rudder pedal, and the status of the fuel gauge. There was reportedly no post-impact fire or smell of fuel at the accident site.

Coon said in an email to the paper that "I believe that the NTSB will review pilot Peterson's diagnostic actions in the aircraft during this 3.5-minute flight and realize the heroic efforts that took place in those 4.9 miles".

NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss told the paper that "our cases are never closed. The key is if there is new information not previously considered by the board."

It will likely take several weeks before the Board announces whether it will reopen the investigation based on Coon's information.

(Image taken by the Civil Aeronautics Board in 1959)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov