Aaliyah's Record Label Sues For Vengeance

It was the latest crash to break America's heart -- a Cessna 402 that went down on take-off from Marsh Harbor Airport in the Bahamas two years ago. On board, budding music and film star Aaliyah, who had been in the Abaco Islands shooting a music video.

As ANN first reported, the Cessna 402B owned by Skystream, Inc. and operated by Blackhawk International Airways, went down at the end of the runway on August 25, 2001.

Investigators quickly found the pilot wasn't certified to operate under 14 CFR Part 135 and the aircraft itself had a questionable maintenance background. The aircraft was severely overloaded and the pilot had cocaine and alcohol in his system, according to investigators.

Monday, a New York judge ruled Aaliyah's record label, Blackground Records, can sue the video producer who arranged for the flight. Instinct Productions had fought back, saying Aaliyah was an employee of Blackground Records and, as such, Blackground couldn't sue.

Now, the judge says Aaliyah wasn't an employee, but an "asset," clearing the way for the suit to proceed.

The suit says Instinct caused "harm, loss and damage" by not ensuring "the careful and safe transportation of Aaliyah."

Blackground wants millions of dollars in its attempt to make up for the earnings it would have made if Aaliyah were still alive. The 22-year old singer's parents have already settled their suit against another record company involved in the video shoot, the aircraft owner and operator.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20010907X01905&ntsbno=MIA01RA225&akey=1