On October 4, 1975, a twin-engine Cessna 310 carrying Ric Flair, David Crockett, Bob Bruggers, Tim Woods, and Johnny Valentine crashed while approaching Wilmington Airport. The plane was on its way from Charlotte at the time,
Flair suffered a broken back in three places and was told that his wrestling days were over. All survived the crash except for the pilot, who went into a coma and succumbed to his injuries two months later.
Ric Flair would return to the ring less than four months later on January 30, 1976, and would go on to have a legendary career as a 16-time world champion, a member of the Four Horseman, with his most famous catchphrase, “WOOOO!” among others.
Fifty years ago today, the plane crash carved out its own chapter in North Carolina’s Haunted History.
Written By John G. Clark Jr.