Reba McEntire’s Tragic Loss: Honoring the Memory of the Plane Crash
Reba McEntire, a renowned country superstar, has experienced profound sorrow and loss in her life. In 1991, tragedy struck when a plane carrying seven of her band members and her tour manager crashed after a concert.
On March 16, 1991, following a private show in San Diego, McEntire and her band members were scheduled to fly to Fort Wayne, Ind., for their next performance. Two planes were waiting at Brown Field Municipal Airport. The band members and tour manager boarded the first plane, while McEntire, her then-husband and manager Narvel Blackstock, and her stylist Sandi Spika stayed in San Diego overnight.
During a poignant interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2012, McEntire tearfully recounted the events that followed. The second plane departed without incident, but the first plane encountered a tragic fate just ten miles east of the airport.
“The tip of the wing of the airplane hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, and it killed everyone on the plane,” McEntire shared with Winfrey. When Narvel informed her of the crash, McEntire’s heart sank. She vividly remembered the moment he returned to their hotel room in the early hours of the morning. “One of the planes had crashed,” he said. McEntire desperately sought reassurance, asking if everyone was okay. But Narvel could only respond, “I don’t think so.”
As McEntire recollected the events, she described the anxiety they felt while attempting to gather more information about the tragedy. Narvel went from room to room, making phone calls, desperately seeking answers. Tears welled up in McEntire’s eyes as she shared the emotional memories. “I’m sorry—it’s been 20 years, but it’s just like—I don’t guess it ever quits hurting,” she expressed. “But I can see that room. I can see Narvel walking back and forth.”
In the aftermath of the devastating loss, friends like Vince Gill and Dolly Parton offered their bands to help McEntire continue her tour. However, she made the decision not to accept their generous offers. Instead, she dedicated her next album, For My Broken Heart, to the band members she had lost. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and sold four million copies.
Every year on the anniversary of the crash, McEntire pays tribute to those who perished. In 2014, she turned to Instagram to mark the occasion, and in 2016, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, she took a special trip to San Diego, sharing the experience with her fans on social media.
“Today is the 25th anniversary of the airplane crash,” McEntire wrote. “I went back to San Diego Nov of last year and took a helicopter up to the crash site. I feel in my heart that they know we still miss them so much. My love and prayers to all the families and friends.”
Reba McEntire’s life was forever changed by the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of her band members and tour manager. Despite the passage of time, the pain of the loss remains. Through her music and annual tributes, McEntire honors their memory and keeps their spirit alive. Her resilience and ability to channel her grief into creative expression have made a lasting impact on her career and the hearts of her fans.