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On January 16, 1996, Jimmy Buffett<\/a> and Bono<\/a> found themselves mixed up in a dangerous case of mistaken identity.<\/p>\n The “Margaritaville” singer had booked his Grumman HU-16 Albatross seaplane — nicknamed the Hemisphere Dancer — for a flight down to the Caribbean island. Joining hom on the flight would be Island Records founder Chris Backwell, as well as Bono, his wife and their two children.<\/p>\n Prior to the trip, Jim Powell, Buffett\u2019s trusted pilot and aviation expert, cautioned the singer to rethink his plans.<\/p>\n \u201cJimmy wanted to land on the north coast, and I looked at the weather map and knew the water would be too rough for his seaplane to land and that we’d end up having to make alternate, last-minute arrangements,” Powell recalled to the Chicago Tribune<\/em><\/a>. “I didn’t have any approval for alternate arrangements.”<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Quotes From Over 40 Years With Jimmy Buffett<\/a><\/p>\n Concerned that the plane could be confiscated if it landed somewhere else, Powell suggested the trip be postponed for better planning.<\/p>\n “Jimmy was saying, ‘Come on, let’s go have fun,\u2019 and I didn’t want any part of it at that point,” Powell admitted. “I felt responsible, so I decided not to go.”<\/p>\n Powell\u2019s prediction proved surprisingly accurate. After initially planning to land in Montego Bay, Buffett\u2019s plane was rerouted to the western port of Negril. As the seaplane taxied on the water after landing, gunshots rang out. Jamaican authorities fired at the aircraft, believing it was being used by drug dealers.<\/p>\n \u201cThese boys were shooting all over the place. I felt as if we were in the middle of a James Bond movie \u2014 only this was real,\u201d Bono recalled to the Belfast Telegraph<\/em><\/a>. \u201cIt was absolutely terrifying and I honestly thought we were all going to die.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> 10 Rock Stars Who Nearly Died Onstage<\/a><\/p>\n‘I Honestly Thought We Were All Going to Die’<\/h3>\n