More Questions Emerge in Aaliyah Crash
Aug. 29 -- More questions are being raised regarding the pilot involved in the fatal crash that killed R&B singer Aaliyah as Mariah Carey and Beyoncé Knowles join the growing list of stars commenting on their friend.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Kathleen Bergen told ABCNEWS the company that owned the Cessna 402, Blackhawk International Airways, was cited four times in the last four years, including once for a safety violation, she said.
But more questions are emerging. The Miami Herald also reported that the pilot, Luis Morales, III, was not the person authorized to fly the plane. Morales was killed along with Aaliyah and the other seven people on board.
Reuters reported that Morales, 30, had pleaded no contest to cocaine possession and three other felonies only 12 days before the accident. Under FAA guidelines, Morales had 60 days to inform aviation officials, and the plea could have resulted in his license being revoked.
Singer Mourned at Soul Train Awards
The singer will be remembered in a private funeral Friday in Manhattan. A public memorial for fans is also expected to be planned, according to Reuters.
Friends of the star are using public appearances to mourn her sudden death.
At Tuesday night's taping of Soul Train's Lady of Soul Awards in Los Angeles, Destiny's Child singer Beyoncé Knowles spoke with reporters backstage about her friend.
"She was the very first person to embrace Destiny's Child. She was so sweet always," said Knowles. "This is, it's just tragic. It's very sad."
Aaliyah's hit "Try Again" had been nominated for R&B or Rap Song of the Year. Her acting career was also taking off.
"What brings peace to my heart is that she was able to do whatshe loved to do," said singer/actor Tyrese.
Mariah Carey posted an audio message on her Web site offering sympathy to Aaliyah's family. Aaliyah's own Web page is receiving so much traffic the audio and video links were temporarily taken down.
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