J-State Tiger
Senate Candidate #7
Fans and Colleagues Mourn Aaliyah
Updated: Wed, Aug 29 6:24 PM EDT
By MASON STOCKSTILL, Associated Press Writer
MIAMI (AP) - The pilot of the ill-fated Bahamas flight carrying pop star Aaliyah and eight others did not have federal authorization to fly the plane and had been in court on a crack cocaine possession charge 12 days before the deadly crash, authorities said Wednesday.
Luis Antonio Morales Blanes, 30, had not been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly the twin-engine Cessna for its owner, Blackhawk International Airways, FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said.
Blackhawk is cleared to fly charters under what is known as an air-taxi certificate, which authorizes a single pilot to fly the plane that crashed. Bergen said that pilot wasn't Morales.
The plane was bound for Opa-locka, Fla., when it went down Saturday shortly after takeoff on Abaco Island, 100 miles north of Nassau. Everyone aboard was killed in the crash or died later of their injuries.
Aaliyah and the others had come to the Bahamas to shoot a music video.
U.S. and Bahamian aviation officials are investigating whether excess weight from baggage - among other possible causes - contributed to the crash. Inspector Lawrence Adderley of the Marsh Harbour police station said Wednesday that Blackhawk did not have a license to operate a charter there.
Blanes was given three years of probation Aug. 13 for a series of allegations, including the drug charge stemming from a July 7 traffic stop in Pompano Beach, Broward County prosecutors said.
Authorities said crack cocaine residue was found on a front seat during a search of the 1993 Volkswagen after Blanes ran a stop sign. He pleaded no contest to the possession charge.
A spokesman for the prosecutors, Ron Ishoy, said Blanes was also sentenced to probation for a charge of trying to peddle $345 worth of stolen airplane parts last year and a theft charge for allegedly stealing a model airplane and tool box.
Blackhawk was cited by the FAA four times from 1997 through 2000 for various violations, including failing to follow drug-testing rules for employees in 1999 and failing to perform proper aircraft maintenance last year, Bergen said.
The company was also fined $1,500 in 1999 for violating a rule that requires pilots flying U.S.-registered planes to follow foreign countries' regulations while in their airspace.
Aaliyah had two Grammy nominations, a platinum album and several high-profile movie roles. Her body was flown Tuesday to New York.
Five other bodies were being flown to the United States on Wednesday. The pilot's body is expected to be returned to Puerto Rico on Thursday. Aaliyah's bodyguard, 41-year-old Scott Gallin, was buried in Miami on Wednesday.
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Man Blackhawk airlines is about to get got for every penny. I need my License ASAP. Can You imagine getting up in front of a jury in Dade County Florida and telling them what Aaliyahs earning potential over the next 60 years would have been?
Updated: Wed, Aug 29 6:24 PM EDT
By MASON STOCKSTILL, Associated Press Writer
MIAMI (AP) - The pilot of the ill-fated Bahamas flight carrying pop star Aaliyah and eight others did not have federal authorization to fly the plane and had been in court on a crack cocaine possession charge 12 days before the deadly crash, authorities said Wednesday.
Luis Antonio Morales Blanes, 30, had not been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly the twin-engine Cessna for its owner, Blackhawk International Airways, FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said.
Blackhawk is cleared to fly charters under what is known as an air-taxi certificate, which authorizes a single pilot to fly the plane that crashed. Bergen said that pilot wasn't Morales.
The plane was bound for Opa-locka, Fla., when it went down Saturday shortly after takeoff on Abaco Island, 100 miles north of Nassau. Everyone aboard was killed in the crash or died later of their injuries.
Aaliyah and the others had come to the Bahamas to shoot a music video.
U.S. and Bahamian aviation officials are investigating whether excess weight from baggage - among other possible causes - contributed to the crash. Inspector Lawrence Adderley of the Marsh Harbour police station said Wednesday that Blackhawk did not have a license to operate a charter there.
Blanes was given three years of probation Aug. 13 for a series of allegations, including the drug charge stemming from a July 7 traffic stop in Pompano Beach, Broward County prosecutors said.
Authorities said crack cocaine residue was found on a front seat during a search of the 1993 Volkswagen after Blanes ran a stop sign. He pleaded no contest to the possession charge.
A spokesman for the prosecutors, Ron Ishoy, said Blanes was also sentenced to probation for a charge of trying to peddle $345 worth of stolen airplane parts last year and a theft charge for allegedly stealing a model airplane and tool box.
Blackhawk was cited by the FAA four times from 1997 through 2000 for various violations, including failing to follow drug-testing rules for employees in 1999 and failing to perform proper aircraft maintenance last year, Bergen said.
The company was also fined $1,500 in 1999 for violating a rule that requires pilots flying U.S.-registered planes to follow foreign countries' regulations while in their airspace.
Aaliyah had two Grammy nominations, a platinum album and several high-profile movie roles. Her body was flown Tuesday to New York.
Five other bodies were being flown to the United States on Wednesday. The pilot's body is expected to be returned to Puerto Rico on Thursday. Aaliyah's bodyguard, 41-year-old Scott Gallin, was buried in Miami on Wednesday.
____________________________________________________
Man Blackhawk airlines is about to get got for every penny. I need my License ASAP. Can You imagine getting up in front of a jury in Dade County Florida and telling them what Aaliyahs earning potential over the next 60 years would have been?
