'TRAVIS BARKER' PLANE CRASH

(DRUMMER - BLINK182 )

On September 19, 2008, Barker was injured when the( Learjet  60 )in which he was a passenger crashed outside Columbia,South calorina. The jet was headed for Van Nuya,California. According to the FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION; the plane was departing the airport when air traffic controllers saw sparks emanating from the plane. It went off the runway, smashed through a fence, crossed a nearby road, slammed into an embankment and caught fire.Barker had performed the night before at an event with former Janes Addiction singer Perry farrel, Gavin de graw and D.J AM Barker was transported to the JOSEPH M. Still burn center in Augusta, Georgia, where he was listed in critical condition. DJ AM was also injured in the crash and was also listed in critical condition. Four others were killed in the crash, three males and one female. With autopsies being performed to identify the bodies, two of the deceased were crew members, and two were passengers, including Chris Baker, Barker's personal assistant who often appeared in Meet The Barkers,and Charles Still, Barker's security guard.On September 21, Dr. Fred Mullins, medical director of the Burn Center reported that Barker sustained second and third degree burns on his lower body and torso and is expected to fully recover within a year. Barker stopped his vegetarian diet and began eating meat in order to increase his protein intake and possibly speed up healing of his burns.

Barker returned to the recording studio in November 2008, with long time friend and Keys to the Cadillac drummer Mike Barbalaci just two months after the plane crash. On his first television interview since the crash, he said to MTV, "I'm already playing my drums again, and I'm already back in the studio". Elaborating by stating that the return to the studio "was like riding a bike. It was really exciting to know I still have my chops. It still felt good... I still can make it around the kit. Everything felt right, so I'm thankful to be able to play."

Barker sued the plane's owners, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., and an airplane maintenance company on November 21, 2008. He sought more than $25,000 in damages "for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of earnings, and medical and legal expenses", claiming that the companies had "improperly operated and maintained the Learjet". The lawsuit claims the Learjet's pilots were "improperly trained and should not have tried to take off rather than continue down the runway. The mother of Barker's bodyguard, Charles Monroe Still Jr., who was killed in the crash, joined the lawsuit. She sued the companies for "damages including grief and sorrow, funeral expenses and loss of earnings."

On December 1, 2008, Tv Guide  reported that Barker will make his first appearance with DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) since the two survived the plane crash. The duo performed at New year's Nation's ,L.A. New Year's Eve Party at The Wilterm. Their performance was to be streamed live on the Internet via New Year's Nation's official site, and broadcast at other New Year's Nation parties across the U.S. Of the gig, Barker told press, "I'm ready to get back onstage with AM and continue to rock the house. I'm very excited to bring in the New Year in my hometown of L.A.

Report Collected By:-

Saurav Lamsal

Kathmandu-3,

Nepal.

(Dept.of secret journalism)