Plane Crash Kills 9 Including Singer Aaliyah in Bahamas

Investigators waded through smoldering Bahamian swampland on Sunday, carting off sand-covered luggage and hunting for an explanation for the plane crash that killed young R&B star Aaliyah and eight others.

The Cessna carrying Aaliyah and her party plummeted to earth in perfect weather Saturday afternoon soon after takeoff for Florida. A day later, investigators had few answers about what could have caused the crash. Police Superintendent Basil Rahming said only that one of the Cessna's engines ''apparently failed.''

Aaliyah, who at age 22 already had two Grammy nominations, a platinum album and several high-profile acting credits under her belt, was killed instantly. Five others on board also died at the scene, while three more died later of their injuries, Rahming said.

A native of New York City and resident of Detroit, Aaliyah had deep roots in the R&B community. Saturday's crash left fans, friends and collaborators in mourning.

Aaliyah and the others in her party had come to the Bahamas to shoot a music video, authorities said. Their plane was bound for Opa-locka, Fla., in perfect weather when it went down on Abaco Island, roughly 200 feet from the end of the runway at Marsh Harbour airport.






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