Travis Barker has had good reason for never wanting to step foot on a plane. However, the Blink-182 drummer and producer has flown for the first time since surviving a flight crash in 2008.
Barker, who took a private jet from Los Angeles to Cabo in Mexico alongside now-wife Kourtney Kardashian back in 2021, has struggled for years with the aftermath of a deadly crash that left most on board dead and him with severe burns.
Since the crash, Barker has declined to travel by air, which has led to him missing several tour dates with Blink-182.
The punk rock band has now announced a reunion tour with original frontman Tom DeLonge, alongside new single Edging – and Travis will be rejoining his bandmates.
READ MORE : Travis Barker opens up on hospital stint after 'severe life-threatening' condition
Here's what you need to know about the tragic crash and how it affected Travis.
Travis Barker's near-fatal flight crash
In September 2008, after playing a South Carolina show with his friend and collaborator Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein, Barker boarded a private plane along with AM, two close friends, assistant Chris Baker and security guard Charles “Che” Still.
The tired of the aircraft blew out during take-off, and while landing the plane overran the runway, skidding across a highway and hitting an embankment before bursting into flames.
The two pilots, Baker and Still were killed in the crash. Though Barker and AM managed to escape through the emergency exit, Barker was covered in jet fuel and became engulfed in flames.
AM helped his friend and put out the fire using his own shirt, but Barker suffered third-degree burns on 65% of his body and was left with a lifelong fear of flying.
Almost a year after the accident, AM died from an accidental drug overdose, leaving Barker the sole survivor from the horrific crash.
How did Travis Barker overcome his fear of flying?
After the crash, Travis endured several life-saving surgeries and skin grafts to repair the damage done to his body.
There had been enough damage for doctors to even consider amputating his foot at one point.
Barker also revealed that he was diagnosed with PTSD and had moments where he considered taking his life. He said he was guilt-ridden over the death of his friends and employees who were on the plane because of him.
The musician has opened about his recovery from the crash, saying: "I stayed in burn centres for, like, the next four months. That feels like hell."
He learned to walk and drum again after months of therapy, finding ways to heal both his body and mind from the ordeal.
Barker has also credited his children with helping him recover, saying "When you’re ready to fly, I’m ready to fly."
Last year, Barker finally overcame his fear of flying, tweeting before that to say "I might fly again."
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