The wild seventies Star Wilmer Valderrama opened up The Hollywood Reporter about the “terrifying” near-fatal accident on board an airplane 21 years ago together with several cast members and celebrity friends.

According to an archived post by People And The National EnquirerThe incident occurred in March 2003 during a charter flight back from the Carnival weekend in New Orleans. On board were Valderrama and his 70s show Co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson, along with Colin Hanks and Geoff and George Shults of A heavenly family Fame.

The chaotic scene began when an auxiliary power unit failed, depressurizing the cabin and releasing the oxygen masks. Kutcher woke his sleeping companions, but when Masterson didn’t wake up, he began CPR. As Masterson regained his senses, Hanks began to lose consciousness.

Despite some comments from Valderama and Geoff Shults immediately afterward, no one on board the flight has yet revealed any details of the incident. While promoting his new book, An American Story: Everyone is InvitedValderrama recalled his first thoughts during the near-disaster.

“The first thing I thought about was my sisters, my mother and my father,” said the Venezuelan native. “If I ever leave this earth, will they have everything they need? It makes you think about what you really fear in life. Death may be one, but leaving your loved ones without everything they need was the most terrifying experience.”

This incident ultimately led Valderama to change his outlook on his career and work ethic. “I just worked my ass off. I became an entrepreneur, started a lot of companies and really kept working,” he said. “It’s a great testament to what this country can offer you.”

An American Story: Everyone is Invited will be in bookstores on September 17th.