Reba McEntire is profoundly aware of the tragedy and the magnitude of the loss. The year 1991 was a pivotal and heartbreaking time for the country music star, as her trusted tour manager and seven beloved band members perished in a plane crash while she was performing.

The accident happened after Reba and her band had given a memorable performance at a prestigious event in San Diego on March 16, 1991. The band members were set to fly from Brown Field Municipal Airport to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for their next show.

In a twist of fate, Reba, her manager and former husband Narvel Blackstock, and her stylist Sandi Spika stayed behind in San Diego for the night, while the band and tour manager boarded the first flight.

In a poignant 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Reba bravely recounted the events. While the second aircraft departed smoothly and reached its destination without incident, the first plane carrying her cherished band members tragically crashed just ten miles east of the airport, leaving a profound impact on those left behind.

Reba McEntire Honors Late Bandmates 33 Years After Fatal Plane Crash | Us  Weekly

Reba solemnly shared with Oprah that “everyone on the plane perished when its wing struck a boulder on the edge of Otay Mountain.” Narvel, her ex-husband and manager, informed the pilot about the situation as soon as they received the news.

In the early hours of the morning, Narvel returned to the hotel where Reba was anxiously waiting. The tragedy was the focus of their conversation as Reba sought answers, and Narvel confirmed that one of the planes had crashed.

Reba McEntire remembers 1991 plane crash that killed 8 band members: 'It  showed me how precious life is' | Fox News

During this challenging time, Reba received unwavering support from close friends like Vince Gill and Dolly Parton. They generously offered to have their bands finish the tour, but Reba kindly declined. Instead, she focused on her personal healing and dedicated herself to her next album, For My Broken Heart, a deeply emotional tribute to her lost bandmates.

Remarkably, For My Broken Heart achieved significant success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and selling an impressive four million copies.

Each year, on the somber anniversary of the tragic event, Reba McEntire pays tribute to those who lost their lives, using social media to keep their memory alive.