The Entertainment Industry’s Ties to Deadly Plane Crashes

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NASSAAU, BAHAMAS – The Independence Day Plane Crash that killed 10 people was sadly not the first tragedy to rock the entertainment industry. Our Denielle Miller sat down with members of the entertainment industry who characterized Friday’s horrific news as a sense of déjà vu.

Rashad “Shaddy” McPhee – Sound Engineer

“It hit all of us hard and to see it happen again almost the same way.”

He recalls that nearly 16 years ago he received a call from his father informing him that his mentor and god brother had passed away in a deadly plane crash.

He was referring to the October 3rd, 2010 incident, that killed nine men heading to San Salvador’s Discovery Day.

Rashad “Shaddy” McPhee – Sound Engineer

“He was like sit down I have something to tell you. And I sat down on the edge of the bed. He was like Nat those was involved in a plane crash…and he was like I think everybody is dead.”

According to the Air Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit Civil Aviation Department report released in 2011, the Cessna 402C aircraft crashed in Lake Killarney shortly after takeoff from Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).

The pilot, copilot, and 7 passengers tragically passed away.

The report also reveals 3 air operator certificate holders at the domestic section of LPIA stated that on the day of the accident, one of the victims approached each of them individually at different times, requesting a quote and their availability to conduct a charter flight to Cockburn Town, San Salvador.

A similar scenario unfolded nearly a decade earlier.

On August 25th, 2001, a plane crash claimed the life of international recording artist Aaliyah and 8 others, including the pilot.

According to that accident report released in 2006, witnesses reported the pilot and members of the group argued about the number of passengers and the amount of bags to be loaded on the aircraft.

Both reports concluded that there was a loss of control of the aircraft.

In all three incidents, the aircraft involved was a Cessna 402.

Experts say this aircraft can accommodate a considerable amount of weight for its category, but it requires strict compliance with its weight and balance limitations.

This has left some to wonder if weight was a contributing factor in Friday’s fatal crash?

It was a question reporters asked Air Accident Investigation Authority officials on Tuesday.