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American Morning
Singer/Actress Aaliyah Dies in Plane Crash
Aired August 27, 2001 - 09:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Everybody was stunned about the fact that now we're searching for answers in the tragic death of a rising young star this morning.
U.S. officials are traveling to the Bahamas today to help investigate the plane crash that killed R&B singer Aaliyah and eight others.
We get details now from reporter Juan Carlos Fanjul of CNN affiliate WSVN.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JUAN CARLOS FANJUL, WSVN-REPORTER (voice-over): From the air you could still see smoke billow from the crash site. Ground pictures now of mud splattered outside the fuselage. Blood inside the cabin.
The twin engine Cessna 402 taking off Saturday night from the Marsh Harbor International Airport in the Bahamas, headed to Opa-Locka when something went wrong before everyone's eyes.
LELAND RUSSELL, BAHAMIAN POLICE: We saw the aircraft took a bank to the left, and then ditched into -- ditched to the ground. And we saw what would appear to have been water, splashes of water came up from it. And right after that we saw a ball of fire.
FANJUL: Nine souls onboard the aircraft. Most passengers strewn outside the plane, the pilot still remaining in the cockpit. Moans could be heard from one of three survivors in this most ghastlyest of scenes.
JOHN HALL, FIRE CHIEF: The only one that I saw that spoke was a gentleman that was laying right outside the aircraft. He said his name.
FANJUL: But, the three survivors passed the short time later because of trauma or severe burns. Rescuers say the person in this white tarp is singer Aaliyah.
The R&B artist had just wrapped up filming a new video on the island. Her dancers returning on another flight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's a beautiful person inside and out and we're going to all miss her, deeply. FANJUL: Most of her companions onboard where from L.A., except for two people: Scotty Gallin, her Pompano Beach.
TED VAN RIJN, VICTIM'S FRIEND: Scotty Gallin was a football player. He got injured, left the NFL and went into private practice. Basically it was a natural spin-off, what he went into, protecting people because of side.
FANJUL: Pilot, Luis Marael, was from Ft. Lauderdale. Witnesses say the charter plane, owned by Blackhawk Aviation, was near or over its overweight limits. There was lots of luggage, a full tank of fuel, and a maximum capacity of passengers. Those who saw the plane go down just south of the runway heard the engine sputter as it took off, possibly shutting down afterwards.
Investigators combing through the wreckage, trying to figure out why this plane fell out of the sky.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Our thanks to reporter Juan Carlos Fanjul of our affiliate, WSVN.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Aaliyah seemed destined for superstardom. Her albums topped the charts and her acting career was also taking off. She starred in the movie "Romeo Must Die," and she was set to appear in an upcoming sequel to "The Matrix." Her sudden death has left her fans in a state of shock.
Our Jason Carroll is in New York's Time Square at Virgin Records, that is the parent company of Aaliyah's record label.
Jason, hello.
JASON CARROLL, CNN ANCHOR: Hello to you, Daryn. Absolutely, Virgin Records is the company that distributed Aaliyah's very successful albums. We've been talking to some of Aaliyah's fans all morning long. Joining me right now are three of her biggest fans. We have Courtney, we have Valerie and we have Tierra, they're all from Washington, D.C., here at tennis camp.
Let's start with you here on the end. When you first heard about what happened, what sort of went through your mind?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I first heard about Aaliyah, I was really sad and I started crying, because she was an upcoming superstar. And she had so many things going for her, and I just -- it was so hard -- it broke my heart, really.
CARROLL: And somewhat of a role model, too, wasn't she?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, she was very much of a role model. Her songs are very empowering for young women. She was just really young, also. She was a great role model.
CARROLL: Courtney, what did you particularly like about her music?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was good, and I liked her music because it was nice and it make me real happy.
CARROLL: Made you feel really good, huh?
Again, anything particularly that you liked about her music? Because she seemed to reach out to a lot of different people.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it was the type of music that we could listen to for the young people. It's so many different types of music out here now where -- it's her music just stood out. And we could really, you know, listen to it and it really caught our eyes.
CARROLL: Would you agree with that? Does her music really reach out to a lot of different type of people, especially young people?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, especially young people, because a lot of her music didn't have coursing and things in it. So, it was very easy to listen to, very calming, relaxing, really good.
CARROLL: All right. Well, we thank the three of you for joining us this morning. Have a good time at tennis camp.
Again, Daryn, we've been talking to a lot of folks out here this morning. Everyone really agrees that -- just so sad, because this is an artist that was poised to really make it big. And her life was just cut tragically short. Daryn.
KAGAN: Way too short, way too early. Jason Carroll in New York. Thank you so much.
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