Reba McEntire Honors the Legacy of Band Members Lost in Tragic Plane Crash 34 Years Ago

On March 16, 1991, Reba McEntire faced one of the darkest moments of her life. Following a performance in Southern California to promote her album Rumor Has It, a plane carrying eight members of her band crashed shortly after takeoff—claiming the lives of dear friends and longtime collaborators.

The twin-engine Hawker Siddeley jet clipped a rock outcropping on Otay Mountain near San Diego and exploded on impact. Reba, who had stayed behind to rest due to bronchitis on the advice of her then-husband and manager Narvel Blackstock, had planned to meet the band the next day in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Instead, she was left to mourn an unimaginable loss.

Among the victims were:

• Chris Austin (fiddler)
• Kirk Cappello (band leader)
• Joey Cigainero (keyboardist)
• Paula Kaye Evans (backup singer)
• Terry Jackson (bassist)
• Anthony Saputo (drummer)
• Michael Thomas (guitarist)
• Jim Hammon (tour manager)
• Along with both pilots on board

Reba later shared with People magazine, “By far this is my darkest hour, the most awful thing that ever happened in my life. When you have eight people that you absolutely love and their lives are just wiped out—it’s devastating.”

Honoring Their Memory, Year After Year

In the months following the crash, Reba released the album For My Broken Heart as a tribute to her fallen bandmates. The record went on to become one of the most successful of her career, selling over four million copies and resonating deeply with fans who felt her grief in every note.

In 2015, she visited the crash site and shared a moment of reflection:

“I feel in my heart that they know we still miss them so much. My love and prayers to all the families and friends.”

 

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Now, on the 34th anniversary of the tragedy, Reba continues to honor their memory. In a quiet yet powerful post shared to social media, she wrote:

“Always in our minds, thoughts, and prayers—no matter how many years have passed. Love and miss you all.”

Her words—and the legacy of those she lost—remain a testament to the enduring power of love, friendship, and music.

🎥 Watch Reba McEntire’s emotional tribute, “For My Broken Heart,” in the video below.