Travis Barker has decided to skip the Australian leg of his rock band, Blink-182’s tour. He posted a message on his Facebook page apologizing for his absence after he was not able to secure a ship to take him to Australia in time.

“I’m sorry to announce I won’t be joining Blink-182 on this Australian tour. I still haven’t gotten over the horrific events that took place the last time I flew when my plane crashed and four people were killed, two being my best friends.”

On September 19, 2008, the plane Barker flew in burst into flames shortly after leaving a South Carolina runway to travel to California. The crash killed most of the passengers on board. His security guard, personal assistant and the two pilots all perished.

Barker, 37, sustained several injuries in the crash including second and third degree burns on his hands and lower body.

The drummer survived along with Adam Goldstein, also known as DJ AM, who later died of a drug overdose in 2009. Since the crash, Barker has vowed to stay away from planes and uses alternate modes of transportation to tour.

For Blink 182’s Australia tour, the rocker hoped to be able to travel by ship as he did with the band’s reunion tour in Europe last year.

“I gave the band my blessing to take another drummer if they still wanted to do the tour without me. I hope to come to Australia again some day perhaps by ship if need be. Unfortunately, there wasn't a boat that worked with the schedule this time around. Once again I’m sorry to all the fans.”

Barker sued the companies that operated the Learjet and has since settled the lawsuit.

The band has decided to proceed with the tour and has subsequently replaced Barker with Brooker Wackerman, a drummer who has played with Tenacious D and Bad Religion. The tour will start on Feb. 23 in Brisbane.

Check out the group's new EP "Dogs Eating Dogs"

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