Payne Stewart, 20 years later

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Payne Stewart's passing in the bizarre plane crash. Hard to believe it's been that long already.
Today, the USGA posted a hour-long video about the 1999 U.S. Open in Pinehurst, which came about four months before he died: Remembering Payne Stewart, 20 years after his tragic passing | Pinehurst Resort

 

Damn that long ago.

 

Was in my car.
Also in my car when I heard of Hartman's death.
Feels like both were yesterday.

 

One of those deaths that still gives me the bad tingles.

 

Kevin Robbins' book., "The Last Stand of Payne Stewart"? It's terrific and it's out now. Pinehurst's site had an excerpt: 20 Years Ago, It Happened at Pinehurst | Pinehurst Resort

 

The thing that always stuck with me was the military pilot reporting that all the windows of Stewart's plane were frosted over. I hope all their deaths were quick. I hope.

 

For me, Payne's accident brought back the eerie echoes of the Bo Rein crash in 1980. Different aircraft but similar situations where the plane was on auto pilot until it ran out of fuel.

 

Damn. Twenty years. As mentioned, one of the most eerie and sad events.

 

That is the part that always stuck with me as well.

 

I doubt anyone on the plane knew death was coming, probably all just fell asleep.