On September $20,1973,$ a Beech Model $18$ aircraft carrying singer Jim Croce and his entourage crashed shortly after takeoff from Natchitoches, Louisiana. All were killed. At the time of the crash, the plane was being flown by Robert N$.$ Elliott, an employee of Roberts Airways. Roberts had been asked by Mustang Aviation to fly the entourage according to a prepared itinerary. Mustang originally had entered into a contract with Lloyd St$.$ Martin of Variety Artists International, a booking agent for popular singers, to fly the group itself. The agreement was entered into on September $18,1973.$ Later that same day, Mustang learned that its aircraft was disabled, so Mustang's director of operations called Roberts and asked it to substitute.