Remembering Wilmington

On October 4,1975, Ric Flair's career almost ended before it ever started. On that Saturday evening in 1975, Joseph Michael Farkas was piloting his Cessna 310 aircraft with Ric Flair, Bob Bruggers, Johnny Valentine, "Mr.Wrestling" Tim Woods, and David Crockett aboard. They were on their way to an event in Wilmington. While flying, the passengers, especially Johnny Valentine, noticed something was wrong. Not long after his observation, one of the plane's tow engines went out leaving them in grave trouble. Not long after, the last and final engine stopped humming. They were going down, all the passengers knew they could face their end. The plan then clipped the tops of a group of trees that were placed on a small piece of land near the water. The plan then descended to the ground, just missing the open water. The ambulances arrived while Flair was still conscious , and he overheard them saying that "this one might not make it". He suspected it was himself, but it was actually not. When they arrived at the hospital, Flair had a severely broken back, Crockett and Woods had no major injuries, and Bruggers and Valentine where in serious condition with injuries similar to those of Flair. The pilot tragically died the next day after being listed in critical condition. Flair would be the only wrestler to return to the ring while both promoters, Crockett and Woods, returned to their jobs. Valentine and Bruggers would retire because of back injuries to severe to continue. Later the estate of Farkas would be sued by Flair for a hefty some of money for after an investigation it was proved the pilot had made a fueling error. The day would forever go on to be the day that the infamous legacy of Ric Flair was almost halted from happening. It was the plane crash that forever changed pro wrestling.