The National Transportation Safety Board may re-open the investigation on the plane crash that killed rock 'n' roll legend Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and "The Big Bopper" Richardson in 1959, the Des Moine Register reports.

On Feb. 3, 1959, a plane carrying Buddy Holly crashed and the cause of the crash was determined as pilot error by the Civil Aeronautics Board. Now, 56 years later, a second look at the crash might occur.

L.J. Coon, a self-described retired pilot, aircraft dispatcher and Federal Aviation Administration test proctor from New England, asked the NTSB to take a look at several factors that might clear pilot Roger Peterson's name. Peterson, who was 21 years old at the time of the crash, also died in the accident.

The NTSB is listening to Coon and promised to look into the information her provided them.

"You have gotten our attention," the NTSB wrote to Coon in a Feb. 19, 2015, email.

The NTSB gets requests like the one from Coon occasionally, but it is unknown what factors caused them to re-open this case.

"Our cases are never closed, and we get these from time to time," NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss said. "The key is if there is new information not previously considered by the board."

Coon said in an e-mail that he investigated the crash trying to find information that could "save lives" on future flights.

Coon wants to look into whether or not control was lost due to inoperable right side rudder pedals. He also wants to look into readings on the fuel guage.

As a result of the crash, there was no fire or smell of fuel at the site.

"I believe that the NTSB will review pilot Peterson's diagnostic actions in the aircraft during this 3.5-minute flight and realize the heroic efforts that took place in those 4.9 miles," Coon said.

The pilot might have tried to find a way to glide the plane to a landing before the right wing hit the ground. The plane then tumbled and crashed.

The pilot, Peterson, was hired by The Dwyer Flying Service. The company faced a lawsuit from the family of Valens. Valens died along with fellow musician J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson.

Barb Dwyer of Clear Lake and someone who worked at The Dwyer Flying Service disagrees with Coon's claims.

"They come out of the woodwork this time of year with theories," she said.

Years after the crash, speculation about a gun found at the crash site and rumors of disputes between the musicians aboard the plane have created a buzz and curiosity regarding the crash.

The pilot was said not to be qualified to rely on flight instruments alone. Since the flight took off into darkness and gusty winds were taking place, the pilot was not able to see the ground and that required him to use instruments he did not know how to use.

Coon says that the right wing hit the ground with the nose of the plane lowered only slightly. He says that indicates "some control was being affected at the time." He also says that the pilot might have had trouble flying the plane due to improper weight distribution.

Author Larry Lehmer says he studied the investigation into the crash in detail while developing his book "The Day the Music Died." He is convinced that the pilot suffered vertigo and that may have contributed to the crash.

"The pilot was not qualified to fly on instruments at all," Lehmer said. "When you get flying in that remote part of the state, there isn't much ground reference, and it's hard to tell up from down."

The NTSB has not confirmed that it will open the case for sure yet, the Daily Beast reports.

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