Reba McEntire has a keen understanding of the scope and depth of loss. The horrific event that befell the superstar of country music in 1991 changed the course of history. Sadly, an airplane disaster claimed the lives of her cherished band members and her reliable tour manager while she was on stage.
On March 16, 1991, after Reba McEntire and her band had a captivating performance at a well-known event in San Diego, a terrible accident happened.
For their next gig, the band was to board an aircraft at Brown Field Municipal Airport and go to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
As fortune would have it, Reba, her manager and ex-husband Narvel Blackstock, and her stylist Sandi Spika were left behind for the evening in San Diego when the band and tour manager boarded the first flight.
In a tearful interview in 2012, Reba McEntire had the audacity to tell Oprah Winfrey what had transpired. Without any problems, the second aircraft took off and reached its target.
Sadly, the first plane carrying Reba’s family members crashed roughly ten miles east of the airport, seriously hurting the survivors.
Reba somberly said to Oprah, “Everyone on board was killed when the plane’s wing hit a boulder on the edge of Otay Mountain.” Narvel approached our pilot as soon as we received the news and informed him of the situation.
Late that night, maybe two or three in the morning, Narvel made his way back to the hotel room where Reba was waiting for developments. The tragedy was weighing heavily on the atmosphere as Reba searched for solutions. Narvel reported, “One of the aircraft crashed.”
Reba inquired about their friends, a glimmer of optimism in her eyes. “Are they okay?” she said, expecting a firm “yes,” but was disappointed. They were both filled with doubt when he said, “I don’t think so.”
Reba enthralled them by divulging their voracious curiosity regarding the details of the tragedy that had befallen their loved ones. With a voice trembling with genuine grief, she asserted that Narvel carried a phone in his hand and proceeded from room to room in quest of solutions. “I expressed my regret and acknowledged that even after two decades, pain never truly goes away. But I see that taking place. Narvel was pacing wildly, obviously in pain.
During this very gloomy time, Reba McEntire found solace in the unwavering support of her close friends, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton. After the disaster, these kind people allowed their bands to complete the tour. Reba, however, politely declined their generous offers.
Instead, she began her own healing journey and gave her everything to her next record, “For My Broken Heart.” Her song expressed her unwavering affection for her bandmates and paid tribute to their memories. It was a moving remembrance of her deceased bandmates.
It’s interesting to note that “For My Broken Heart” peaked in popularity after reaching No. The record that debuted at number one on the esteemed Billboard Top Country Albums list sold four million copies.
Reba McEntire solemnly pays respects to the departed each year on the sorrowful anniversary of the horrible incident. She uses social media to ensure that their legacy endures. In 2014, she made a moving memorial for her massive Instagram following to mark the crash’s anniversary.
Later, on the depressing 25th anniversary of the disaster in 2016, Reba embarked on a harrowing journey to San Diego, a city she would always treasure. She kindly allowed her devoted followers to see a glimpse of her recovery by sharing this historic journey on a number of social media platforms.
According to Reba’s own poignant message, today marks the 25th anniversary of the plane disaster: “Today. I flew to the scene of the tragic occurrence in a helicopter when I got back to San Diego in November. I couldn’t help but feel that the deceased know how much we miss them. My sincere condolences and best wishes are extended to all the friends and family impacted by this unfortunate event.
