03/18/2026
What Happened To JFK Jr.?
John F. Kennedy Jr., along with his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette, was killed on July 16, 1999, when the Piper Saratoga plane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Martha’s Vineyard.
The NTSB attributed the accident to pilot error, citing spatial disorientation in haze and darkness.
Key details of the incident:
The Flight: The plane was traveling from Fairfield, New Jersey, to Martha's Vineyard for a family wedding.
The Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation concluded that Kennedy, who was not certified to fly by instruments alone (IFR), became disoriented due to low visibility, hazy conditions, and flying over open water at night.
The Crash: The plane descended rapidly, turning before crashing into the water, causing instant death for all three passengers.
The Search: After the flight was reported overdue, a multi-day search by the Coast Guard led to the discovery of the wreckage and bodies on the ocean floor.
JFK Jr. was 38 years old at the time of his death.
The original George Magazine is a treasure trove of eye opening articles. This is from January, 1999, just 6 months before John’s plane crashed.