The founder of Blackground Records has leveled a stunning accusation against his own son regarding the 2001 plane crash that killed R&B superstar Aaliyah. Barry Hankerson, the late singer’s uncle and former manager, claims in new legal filings that his son, Jomo Hankerson, failed to fulfill his duties as a travel coordinator for the ill-fated trip to the Bahamas.
The allegations surfaced in court documents obtained by TMZ, highlighting a deepening rift within the Hankerson family decades after the tragedy. According to the filings, Barry alleges that Jomo was specifically hired and compensated to manage travel logistics for Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat” music video shoot. Barry contends that the fatal accident might have been avoided entirely had Jomo followed through on his professional responsibilities.
Aaliyah was only 22 years old when she and eight others died on August 25, 2001. Their twin-engine Cessna 402B crashed shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour in the Abaco Islands. A subsequent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board determined the aircraft was significantly overloaded with equipment and passengers, which contributed to the pilot’s inability to maintain altitude.
The legal documents suggest that Barry’s relationship with his son never recovered from the emotional fallout of the crash. Barry claims that Jomo’s alleged negligence in coordinating the return flight led to the chaotic circumstances at the airport. Investigators also later discovered that the pilot, Luis Morales III, had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system and was not authorized to fly that specific aircraft.
This lawsuit is the latest chapter in a long history of legal and emotional turmoil surrounding Aaliyah’s estate and musical catalog. The singer was at the height of her career when she died, having just released her self-titled third album. In recent years, her music was finally made available on streaming services after being withheld for two decades due to disputes involving Blackground Records.
While the new court filings focus on the logistics of the 2001 flight, they also underscore the lasting trauma the event caused the Hankerson family. Barry said the crash caused a permanent fracture in his bond with Jomo, who previously served as an executive at the record label.
The lawsuit marks one of the few times a family member has publicly blamed another for the specific circumstances of the singer’s death. Representatives for Jomo Hankerson have not yet provided a public response to the specific allegations regarding his role in the travel coordination.
The case continues to move through the court system as the public reflects on the 25-year legacy of the “Princess of R&B.”
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