The Dramatic Incident That Changed Steve Wozniak’s Path
On February 7, 1981, a life-altering event for Steve Wozniak unfolded as he was involved in a serious aviation accident in California. This incident marked the beginning of an extended break from his duties at Apple.
A Turbulent Flight
Steve was piloting a turbocharged Beechcraft Bonanza A36TC—accommodating six passengers—alongside his fiancée, Candi Clark; her brother; and her brother’s girlfriend. While the incident could have led to tragic outcomes, everyone on board emerged alive, though Wozniak sustained some minor head injuries.
Transformation Amidst Triumph
This crisis arose shortly after Apple’s Initial Public Offering (IPO), which had earned him an impressive $116 million from his shares. At this juncture of rapid growth for Apple, he grappled with the changes unfolding within the company that were not entirely to his liking and navigated significant shifts in his personal life following his recent divorce.
Wozniak began dating Candi Clark who worked as a secretary at Apple. Their first outing together involved attending a science fiction film at one of the theaters he acquired with funds from his IPO profits.
A Fateful Decision
Eager to solidify their relationship further, they planned their wedding. In pursuit of this dream, Woz flew them to visit Clark’s uncle who was set to design her unique wedding band. However, during takeoff from Santa Cruz Skypark—a small airport located about twenty-five miles outside Cupertino—the aircraft ascended too steeply before stalling and crashing through two fences onto a parking lot adjacent to a skating rink. With only fifty hours of flying experience under his belt at that point—Woz later speculated that Clark may have unintentionally nudged the controls during ascent.
A New Direction Following Recovery
Despite surviving the accident unscathed physically—though hospital recuperation left him battling amnesia—this setback prompted significant changes for Wozniak regarding both health and career trajectory. During recovery time spent largely gaming—from video games and munching on pizza smuggled by childhood friend Dan Sokol—he chose not to return immediately to work with Apple post-incident.
Shifting Focus Away From The Company He Co-Founded
The crash symbolized more than just physical recovery—it paved the way for Woz’s gradual detachment from full-time responsibilities at the tech giant he co-founded alongside Steve Jobs over five years prior. Although still recognized as an official employee today—and honored among Apple’s elite known as Fellows—a shift toward new passions became evident after this ordeal.
Upon returning briefly years later back into app-centric roles within senior management positions —his escalating discontent regarding insufficient attention given towards maintaining innovation around core products like Apple’s II line ultimately saw him depart permanently by 1985.
