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FAA -- Billy Wasn't Wearing a Seat Belt on Plane

Posted Jun 28th 2009 12:58PM by TMZ Staff

Billy MaysThe FAA is already deflecting blame for the death of Billy Mays -- claiming the legendary TV pitchman wasn't wearing a seat belt when he took a shot to the head during a rough landing on a flight he was on yesterday.

Here's what we know -- Billy Mays was aboard US Airways Flight 1241 flying from Philadelphia, which landed roughly when the front tire blew out as it touched down. After the flight, Billy told FOX 13 in Tampa that something struck him in the head -- here's Billy's actual quote:

"All of a sudden as we hit you know it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping. It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head."

We called the FAA for comment, and a spokesperson told us, "The passenger needs to wear a seat belt during landing and he didn't."

A spokesperson for US Airways did not want to comment until more information comes to light.

Billy posted about it last on his Twitter last night, saying, "Just had a close call landing in Tampa. The tires blew out upon landing. Stuck in the plane on the runway. You can always count on US Air."

Tags: billy mays, BillyMays, dead, faa, oxiclean, pitchman

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31. Sounds like they just shouldn't say a thing at all. No one is saying that's the reason he died. It sounds like the Airlines are getting a little paranoid.

Posted at 1:13PM on Jun 28th 2009 by 918

32. What a terribly, lame excuse from the airline. He wasn't wearing a seatbelt?! Wearing a seatbelt will NOT protect you from objects in the overhead compartments falling on your head! What a terrible job of "spin control". They should have just said "he wasn't wearing a helmet". That makes about as much sense.

Posted at 12:39PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Kristi

33. omg his twitter...just 22hrs he was alive

Posted at 1:13PM on Jun 28th 2009 by no

34. WTF??? People are dropping like flies at a picnic!! Better go to church today if you ain't already there!

Posted at 1:14PM on Jun 28th 2009 by Melody

35. #9 PETERSON32 HOW RUDE YOU ARE HAVE SOME RESPECT.............................

Posted at 1:14PM on Jun 28th 2009 by life is like that

36. Too bad Sully wasn't the pilot, he would have landed the plane in the Gulf without incident.

RIP Mr. Mays

Posted at 1:14PM on Jun 28th 2009 by Nuts

37. US Airways and the FAA are different. FAA is Government. Federal Aviation Administration. However, I agree. Wearing your seat belt does nothing to prevent something above you falling down. If anything, it makes it more likely to happen. You cant get out of the seat, you're seat belted in!

Posted at 1:14PM on Jun 28th 2009 by Makesyawonder

38. #9 PETERSON32 MUST BE RELATED TO ALL THESE PETERSON'S WHO KILL THEIR WIVES. AS IN SCOTT PETERSON AND DREW PETERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 1:16PM on Jun 28th 2009 by whatever

39. ITHINK THERE IS A CELEBRITY SERIAL KILLER IN HOLLYWOOD

Posted at 1:16PM on Jun 28th 2009 by sherlock aka hamilTonyan

40. oh yeah, cuz wearing a seatbelt always prevents things from hitting your head!
are they really serious about that?

Posted at 1:16PM on Jun 28th 2009 by sil

41. JeezLouise!! WTF? Bad week for everybody.

Posted at 1:18PM on Jun 28th 2009 by pinkpixel

42. what an illogical comment coming from the company. do they think everyone is stupid,besides them? they would have been better off to have exercised their 5th amendment right and made no statement at all! objetcs falling from above someone's head was the problem here,not the use or non-use of a freaking seat belt.

Posted at 1:26PM on Jun 28th 2009 by lee

43. Is it possible that the airplane incident and his death, are completely unrelated??

Posted at 1:17PM on Jun 28th 2009 by Better than you.

44. When it's your time to go ... you go. RIP Billy! I loved you on Leno a few weeks ago. Funny guy.

Posted at 1:19PM on Jun 28th 2009 by Trina

45. I believe the minute billy mays got to heaven the gates opended and he said "HI GOD BILLY MAYS HERE" I do believe this story should take over the MJ story, I loved billy mays a lot more he made me smile, and not want to hide my child. Can you ever think of a time when billy did not you make you laugh? Exactly

Posted at 1:20PM on Jun 28th 2009 by ESS3NC3 0F 3V1L

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