It was on August 25, 2001, that the music industry bid farewell to one of its brightest stars when Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas. The R&B superstar, just 22, was among eight people killed when their Cessna 402B plane crashed seconds after leaving takeoff from Marsh Harbour Airport. New evidence from Lesley Nicole, once a backup dancer for Aaliyah, gives a clearer view of the singer’s last moments on earth. Also revealed alongside is a lesser-heard story of what went down when Lenny Kravitz stepped in during that time.
Aaliyah had just completed filming her “Rock the Boat” music video in the Abaco Islands. The filming wrapped up early, so they booked an earlier flight from there back to Florida. But the plane, a small Cessna, was a red flag. It was overloaded with nine people and a great deal of heavy equipment, way more than its maximum capacity. Aaliyah, whose phobia of flying she had long battled, felt uneasy about getting on. She complained about the size of the plane and weight, sending a message of distress to her boyfriend, Damon Dash.
A part of the shoot but absent on that fatal flight, Lesley Nicole revealed what was going through Aaliyah’s mind. Although Nicole’s particular points are private, what she shared indicates that Aaliyah felt something was amiss. The singer’s gut feeling was contradicted by the urgency of going back to the U.S. for her tight schedule. Although she went with her gut, Aaliyah got on the plane, something that continues to torment those that loved her.
The crash’s cause became clear in later investigations. The aircraft was 700 to 1,000 pounds over its limit, making takeoff nearly impossible. The pilot, Luis Morales III, lacked proper certification for the Cessna and had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system. Maintenance issues, like outdated engine parts, further sealed the tragedy. Witnesses later recalled heated arguments between passengers and the pilot over the plane’s safety, but the group pressed to leave.
In a tragic turn of events, Lenny Kravitz came to the rescue prior to the crash. He made his private plane available for Aaliyah and the team in hopes of transporting them in a more secure environment. But Hype Williams commandeered the plane for a video shoot, leaving Aaliyah with only the fatal Cessna. Damon Dash later complained about the move, feeling that the jet could have made a difference. Contrary to spec, Kravitz’s plane was not used for flying the team home after the crash, but his unheralded act demonstrated his regard for Aaliyah.
Aaliyah’s death created a void in both music and cinema, where she was emerging as a talented force to be reckoned with. Her life, with Nicole’s hindsight and Kravitz’s generosity of spirit, reminds us of her instinct and vulnerability. Her fans persist in remembering her legacy, celebrating such songs as “One in a Million” and her indelible persona.
