How did singer Jim Croce die?

James Joseph Croce (January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973) was an American folk and rock singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and numerous singles.

His first two albums were commercially unsuccessful, failing to chart or produce any hit singles. During this period, Croce took a series of odd jobs to pay bills while he continued to write, record, and perform concerts.

After forming a partnership with songwriter and guitarist Maury Muehleisen, his fortunes turned in the early 1970s with a few hits. The follow-up album, 'Life and Times' contained the song 'Bad, Bad Leroy Brown', was the only No. 1 hit he had during his lifetime.

Croce was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to James Albert Croce and Flora Mary (Babusci) Croce, both Italian Americans. Croce grew up in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania just outside of Philadelphia and attended Upper Darby High School and graduated college.

On September 20, 1973, during Croce's 'Life and Times' tour and the day before his ABC single 'I Got a Name' was released, Croce and all five others on board were killed when their chartered Beechcraft E18S crashed into a tree during takeoff from the Natchitoches Regional Airport in Louisiana.

Others killed in the crash were pilot Robert N. Elliott, Maury Muehleisen, comedian George Stevens, manager and booking agent Kenneth D. Cortese and road manager Dennis Rast. Jim Croce was only 30 years old.