Aaliyah’s uncle blames cousin for singer’s fatal plane crash in new legal battle

The allegation emerged in a legal dispute between Barry and Jomo over music assets connected to Aaliyah and others

Aaliyah’s uncle, Barry Hankerson, has made a new allegation about the 2001 plane crash that killed the R&B singer, claiming his son and Aaliyah’s cousin, Jomo Hankerson, failed in his responsibility to arrange the singer’s travel before the fatal accident.

The allegation emerged in a legal dispute between Barry and Jomo over music assets connected to Aaliyah and other artists. According to court documents reported by USA Today, Barry claimed that Jomo had been paid to coordinate Aaliyah and her entourage’s travel but “failed in his responsibility”, ultimately leading the group to board the private plane that crashed.

Barry further alleged that the tragedy “may have been avoided” had Jomo carried out the travel-coordination duties he had been compensated to perform.

Aaliyah was 22 when she died on August 25, 2001, after the plane carrying her and eight others crashed shortly after taking off from Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas. The singer and her team had been in the country filming the music video for Rock the Boat.

The crash killed everyone on board, including pilot Luis Antonio Morales III. Investigators later found that the aircraft was significantly overweight and that Morales was not authorised to fly the plane. Toxicology tests also found cocaine and alcohol in his system.

The new allegations are part of a broader family dispute involving Aaliyah’s music catalogue. Jomo has sued his father and Blackground Records, claiming he is owed money under a settlement concerning recording masters and publishing rights connected to Aaliyah and other artists, including Toni Braxton, DMX and Timbaland.

Jomo is seeking $1.2 million in damages. He has also accused his father of improperly handling funds and manufacturing expenses to reduce the amount he was owed.

Barry has denied those allegations and has countered with his own accusations, including claiming that Jomo threatened to release previously unreleased Aaliyah material during the dispute. Jomo has denied Barry’s claims.

Barry’s latest allegation also sheds light on the longstanding strain between father and son. According to the court documents, Barry said his relationship with Jomo changed following Aaliyah’s death.

The renewed attention comes 25 years after Aaliyah’s death, as fans continue to remember the singer’s influence on R&B and pop. Her career included major hits such as Try Again, Are You That Somebody? and Rock the Boat, while her self-titled third album was released just weeks before her death.

Despite the passage of time, the circumstances surrounding Aaliyah’s final flight remain a painful part of her legacy. The latest claims from her uncle are allegations made in ongoing litigation and do not change the official findings surrounding the crash.

The legal dispute between Barry and Jomo remains ongoing.