In 1991, Reba McEntire, the country music superstar, faced an unimaginable loss that forever altered her life. On March 16, following a mesmerizing performance in San Diego, the tragedy struck when an aircraft disaster claimed the lives of her trusted tour manager and seven cherished band members.
The Fateful Day
The incident occurred after a thrilling concert by Reba McEntire and her band. For the next leg of their tour, the band members boarded a flight from Brown Field Municipal Airport to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Reba, her then-husband and manager Narvel Blackstock, and her stylist Sandi Spika stayed behind in San Diego for the night.
In a moving 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Reba recounted the heartbreaking details. The second plane carrying Reba and her team landed safely, but the first plane, carrying the beloved members of her band, tragically crashed ten miles east of the airport. The plane’s wing struck a boulder on the edge of Otay Mountain, leading to the loss of all lives on board.
The Heartbreaking News
Reba described the gut-wrenching moment when she learned of the crash. Narvel, who had received the news first, came to the hotel room where Reba was waiting anxiously. The devastating reality set in as Narvel relayed the tragic news. Reba’s hope that her friends might be alright was shattered by Narvel’s somber reply, “I don’t think so,” casting a shadow of despair over them both.
Coping with the Loss
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Reba and Narvel were consumed by the search for details about the disaster. Reba’s vivid memories of that night reflect the deep sorrow and confusion they faced. She recalled Narvel’s restless pacing and their shared grief, expressing that “the sorrow never really goes away.”
Throughout this period of intense sadness, Reba found solace in the unwavering support of close friends like Vince Gill and Dolly Parton. They offered to help complete the tour, but Reba chose instead to focus on her personal healing.
A Tribute Through Music
Reba channeled her grief into her music, releasing the album “For My Broken Heart” as a tribute to her lost bandmates. The album, filled with heartfelt remembrance, achieved remarkable success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and selling four million copies.
Honoring Their Memory
Every year, Reba McEntire commemorates the tragic anniversary of the plane crash, ensuring the memory of those lost lives endures. In 2014, she paid tribute on Instagram, and in 2016, on the 25th anniversary of the disaster, she visited San Diego and the crash site. Sharing her pilgrimage through social media, Reba expressed her continued remembrance and sorrow.
In her heartfelt note, Reba wrote: “Today is the 25th anniversary of the plane crash. I returned to San Diego in November and took a helicopter to the scene of the tragic collision. I was overcome by the overpowering impression that people who have passed on know how much we miss them. My condolences and prayers are overflowing for all the families and friends affected by this tragedy.”
Reba McEntire’s journey through this profound loss and her continued efforts to honor those who passed away underscore her deep resilience and enduring love.
