Travis Barker and DJ AM were aboard a plane that crashed early this morning in South Carolina. The private Learjet was departing from South Carolina when air traffic controllers began seeing sparks. According to Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen the plane went off the runway and crashed into a wall. While flying private is the only way to fly in our minds, note that there have been 7 reported Learjet incidents and accident since 1996.

Four people were killed on board, two crew members and two passengers. The only two to survive were Travis Barker and DJ AM. Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, was critically injured. Both he and DJ AM seem to be in stable condition and have been transferred to the Agusta, Georgia Burn Center.
Barker and DJ AM had performed Friday night at an event alongside Perry Farrell and Gavin DeGraw in Carolina. Right before this gig Barker and AM were most noteably seen playing live for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

Any crash is a tragedy but our hearts especially go out to the exceptionally talented duo of Barker and AM. We saw their debut performance in Miami Beach a few years back. What began as a couple of talented musicians coming together for fun resulted in some seriously reborn and refreshing music. Prior to that performance, Travis Barker was the drummer for Blink 182 and DJ AM had a solo spinning career, slash was Nicole Richie’s former fiancee. The two very different musical formats coming together helps define a very new generation. Their performance was mind-blowing and it is clear why they remain together today. Barker and AM are a force and we wish them a speedy and full recovery!

Our thoughts go out to everyone aboard the plane.