NTSB May Reopen Buddy Holly Plane Crash Investigation

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board has agreed to consider reopening the investigation into the Iowa plane crash that killed musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson.

The board has agreed to consider another investigation after receiving a letter from L.J. Coon, an experienced pilot from New England. He contended that there were other issues involving weight and balance calculations, the rate of the plane's climb and descent, fuel gauge readings and the passenger-side rudder that the board should investigate.

In 1959, the Civil Aeronautics Board ruled that the most likely cause of the crash was pilot error, and snow was listed a secondary cause.

An initial response to Coon's information will take about two months, and then it could take up to a year to determine if the petition will be granted.

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