Although each aircraft registration identifier is unique , some countries allow it to be re-used when the aircraft has been sold , destroyed or retired . For example , N3794N is assigned to a Mooney M20F . It had been previously assigned to a Beechcraft Bonanza ( specifically , the aircraft in which Buddy Holly was killed ) . Also note that an individual aircraft may be assigned different registrations during its existence . This can be because the aircraft changes ownership , jurisdiction of registration , or in some cases for vanity reasons
killed
The Day the Music Died
Aircraft registration