NEWSAaliyah's Uncle Blames His Son for Fatal Plane Crash in Lawsuit
Barry Hankerson blamed his son Jomo for travel failures tied to Aaliyah’s fatal plane crash.
Sept. 6 2026, Published 12:43 p.m. ET
Aaliyah’s death is back in the headlines at the center of a painful legal fight 25 years after the plane crash that killed her.
The R&B star died Aug. 25, 2001, when a small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour in the Abaco Islands, killing all nine people on board. Now, lawsuit documents obtained by TMZ include a striking accusation from Aaliyah’s uncle Barry Hankerson, who blames his own son, Jomo Hankerson, for failures connected to the trip.
Aaliyah died on Aug. 25, 2001, when a small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in the Abaco Islands, killing all nine people aboard.
According to the documents, Barry, the founder of Blackground Records, alleges Jomo was hired and compensated to coordinate travel for Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat” video shoot in the Bahamas. He claims the crash “may have been avoided had [Jomo] followed through on his compensated task of travel coordination.”
Barry also says in the filing that his relationship with Jomo was never the same after Aaliyah’s death.
A Family Fight Turns Painful
Barry Hankerson alleged in lawsuit documents that his son, Jomo Hankerson, failed to properly coordinate travel for Aaliyah’s ‘Rock the Boat’ video shoot.
The allegation adds a bitter dimension to a tragic family battle.
The claim was part of a lawsuit filed by Jomo against his father and Blackground Records alleging a breach of settlement over music rights, including for Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, DMX and Timbaland, to which he claims to be owed 12 percent.
He is seeking over $1.2 million in damages.
What Investigators Found
- 8 Celebrities Whose Deaths Remain a Mystery: From Natalie Wood to Marilyn Monroe and More
- Aaliyah’s Final Texts to Damon Dash Revealed: ‘I Don’t Like the Plane’ Before Fatal Crash
- Aaliyah's Mother Diane Haughton Cancels Celebration Of Life Ceremony After Accusing Author Of Allegedly Promoting Biography At Late Singer's Grave
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Barry Hankerson claimed the crash might have been avoided if Jomo Hankerson had completed his paid travel coordination duties.
Aaliyah was 22 when she died. She had just released her self-titled third album, which peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s top 10 list, and had finished filming the video for “Rock the Boat” before boarding the chartered plane back to the U.S.
Investigators later found that the Cessna 402B was overloaded by about 700 pounds when it took off. The New York Times previously reported that the plane’s weight limit had been reduced after a last-minute change in charter company, and that the weight of passengers and baggage was not checked before boarding as required.
Pilot Luis Morales III was not certified to fly the aircraft, had falsified FAA credentials and had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system, according to CBS News. He had also been sentenced to probation for cocaine possession two weeks before the crash.
Aaliyah and five other passengers died instantly. Three others died from their injuries the next day.
A Legacy Still Felt
Investigators found that the Cessna 402B was overloaded by about 700 pounds and that pilot Luis Morales III was not certified to fly the aircraft.
Before her death, Aaliyah had already reshaped R&B. She began performing as a child, released Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number at 14, and followed with One in a Million, which went double platinum after its 1996 release.
Her family previously pursued wrongful death claims after the crash, reaching undisclosed settlements with defendants including parties connected to the production and flight arrangements.
