And so it begins….
In the first of what could be many lawsuits, the families of two hair stylists, who were killed in the plane crash that also took the life of R&B singer Aaliyah last August, have filed a wrongful death suit against Virgin Records (Aaliyah‘s record company) and Blackhawk Aviation, the Florida company that chartered the plane.
The two lawsuits for hair stylists Eric Forman, 29, and Anthony Dodd, 34, claim that the aircraft was overloaded with passengers, luggage and video equipment as it was returning to the United States after filming a music video in the Bahamas. All nine people onboard the light aircraft were killed when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff.
Preliminary reports from Bahamian aviation investigators have said the plane’s extra weight kept the plane out of balance and put pressure in the tail area. Investigators have also said that neither Blackhawk nor Skystream, the plane’s registered owner, had a permit to operate commercial charter flights in the Bahamas.
The families hold Virgin responsible because of its cost-cutting measures in transportation. Brian Panish, the lawyer for the families, told BBC News that the record company “took profits over the safety of transporting people.” They are seeking unspecified damages.
Charles Henderson, Eric Forman’s brother, told Reuters his family was devastated by the loss. “These kids were young, urbane, at the top of their game,” he said.
Both Virgin Records and Blackhawk Aviation could not be reached for comment.
At this time, relatives of the 22-year-old Aaliyah have not filed any lawsuits in regard to the accident.
