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Aaliyah Haughton was buried Friday next to her grandmother in White Plains, N.Y., but the public discussion connected with her death is far from over. Newsweek has learned that the 22-year-old double-platinum-selling R&B singer was hesitant to board the tiny twin-engine Cessna 402B that was supposed to take her from the Bahamas to Miami last week. Sources close to the singer say she was fearful of small planes and had been expecting a larger aircraft. “She was very upset at that plane the moment she saw it,” said a friend who was with Aaliyah at the airport. Instinct, which produced the video the singer was shooting in the Bahamas, reportedly offered to charter a private jet instead, which would not
have arrived for several hours. But Aaliyah just wanted to get home. It was to be her last weekend off before resuming a tough schedule that included the MTV awards, promotion of her album and continued physical training for her roles in “Matrix 2” and “3.”
Whereas the pilot, Luis Morales III, was unauthorized to fly the Cessna, a report issued by U.S. investigators said that the plane was 700 pounds overloaded. Newsweek has learned that several members of Aaliyah’s make-up and styling crew stayed behind to wait for a larger plane. After passengers boarded the plane, arguments among the ground crew about the weight limitations got heated, according to Sarah Jacobs, a production assistant at the scene. In addition to the luggage, production equipment weighed down the aircraft. A good deal of what had been f1own to the island on two cargo planes several days earlier was packed into the Cessna, according to a production-crew source. The equipment was supposed to have been divided between two planes on the way back, according to the same source. The report said the passengers’ weight, including Aaliyah’s 300-pound bodyguard, overloaded the plane.
Following the tragedy, accusations are building against the pilot, Skystream Inc., which owned the plane, and the operator, Blackhawk International Airways. An attorney for Blackhawk issued a statement that said it was cooperating with authorities. But the search for who is to blame is not likely to end there. “Everyone and anyone is blamed here. Somebody dropped the
ball in this particular situation and somebody will have to pay for it. It’s as simple as that,” says
Darrel Jones, a legal consultant for several large record companies. Among those who could get caught in the tragedy's legal aftermath are Aaliyah’s label, Virgin Records, and Instinct, which is owned by famed hip-hop video director Hype Williams. Williams picked the Bahamas for the video, though Aaliyah would have preferred Miami, according to several on the shoot. If this shoot followed practice, according to industry sources, then Instinct would have been responsible for arranging travel and lodging. Williams and company returned to the mainland on a chartered yacht. “This is a loss for the world,” said Williams, expressing regret for everyone lost on the plane. Representatives of Virgin Records and Hype Williams or Instinct could not be reached for comment.
From: Newsweek, September 10, 2001
Notes:
Lines 28-29: Drop the ball ‒ make a mistake and spoil something that you are responsible for Line 30: legal ‒ connected with the law
Line 31: aftermath ‒ situation that exists as a result of an important (and usually unpleasant) event, especially an accident
Line 33: shoot ‒ an occasion when somebody takes professional photographs for a particular purpose or makes a film / movie
Lines 1-2 : “Aaliyah ... N.Y. ... ”
Aaliyah Haughton was probably buried next to her grandmother because
A it had been her last wish just before dying. B it had been planned that way.
C there had been no other choice.
D there had been no other spot at that time.
2
Lines 2-3: “ … but … over.”
These lines indicate that the discussion connected with Aaliyah’s death
A could continue. B could never end. C will continue. D will never end.
3
Lines 3-5: “Newsweek … Cessna 402B …” These lines tell us that Aaliyah
A doubted whether she should board the plane. B had to be encouraged to board the plane. C had to be persuaded to board the plane. D refused to board the plane.
4
Which of the following statements about the Cessna is true?
A It had a large engine. B It had a tiny engine.
C It had two different engines. D It had two similar engines.
5
The word “supposed” in line 5 is similar in meaning to the following except:
A believed. B expected. C thought. D understood.
The word “sources” (line 6) is similar in meaning to A fans. B outsiders. C people. D relatives. 7
The phrase “close to” (line 6) is similar in meaning to A advising. B around. C following. D watching. 8
Lines 6-7: “Sources … planes … ”
We may say that sources thought that Aaliyah was … to board small planes.
Which of the following does not fit? A eager
B frightened C nervous D uncertain
9
Lines 8-9: “ ‘She … airport.”
From these lines we may conclude that Aaliyah’s friend
A could again read Aaliyah’s thoughts.
B had difficulties calming Aaliyah down. C knew how Aaliyah felt.
D was upset and worried about Aaliyah.
10
Lines 9-10: “Instinct … Bahamas ….”
These lines indicate that Instinct … Aaliyah’s video.
A assisted with B had to alter C promoted
The word “reportedly” in line 11 is similar in meaning to:
as what some people A guess.
B propose. C say. D suggest.
12
The word “charter” (line 11) is similar in meaning to
A borrow for one’s own use. B borrow for public use. C hire for one’s own use. D hire for public use.
13
Line 12: “But … home.”
This line suggests that Aaliyah … to get home no matter what. A had B had to arrange C was impatient D was told 14
Lines 12-13: “But … off…” These lines contain a(n) A account.
B explanation. C plan.
D quotation.
15
Lines 12-14: “It was … and “3″. These lines indicate that Aaliyah A could be quite busy.
B could keep herself busy. C would be quite busy. D would keep herself busy.
Line 15: “Whereas … Cessna, …”
This line suggests that the pilot was not … to fly the Cessna.
A qualified B ready C told D willing
17
Lines 15-16: “Whereas … overloaded.” From these lines we may conclude that
A all the blame for the crash should be put on the pilot.
B all the blame for the crash should not be put on the pilot.
C the pilot does not have to take any blame for the crash.
D the pilot has to take all the blame for the crash.
18
Line 17: “… several … plane.”
Some of Aaliyah’s styling and make-up crew probably stayed behind because
A a larger plane had just landed. B a larger plane was about to land.
C there was no room for them in the plane. D there were no seats in the cabin of the plane.
19
Lines 18-19: “After … scene.”
We may conclude that according to Sarah Jacobs, the ground crew … discussed how heavy the plane was supposed to be. A adequately and accurately
B angrily and excitedly C calmly and seriously D secretly and sensibly
Lines 20-21: “A good … Cessna,...”
These lines indicate that … of the cargo flown on two planes was packed into the plane that carried Aaliyah. A a large quantity B a small quantity C little D some 21
The phrase “was supposed” (line 22) can be replaced by A was asked. B was expected. C was known. D was told. 22
Lines 23-24: “The report … plane.” From these lines we may conclude that
A Aaliyah’s bodyguard had been too heavy to be on the plane.
B Aaliyah’s bodyguard was the cause of the plane crash.
C the 300 pounds of the bodyguard added to weighing down the plane.
D the 300 pounds of the bodyguard definitely weighed down the plane.
23
The word “accusations” (line 25) indicates that A a culprit can already be pointed out.
B a culprit still has to be pointed out. C there is no information about the culprit. D there is some information about the culprit.
Lines 26-27: “An attorney … authorities.” We may say that with his statement the attorney for Blackhawk tried to point out that
A they could help find the culprit. B they have nothing to hide. C they would help find the culprit. D they would not be blamed.
25
Lines 27-28: “But … there.”
These lines suggest that the investigation into the plane crash
A could last forever. B would last forever.
C would probably be continued. D would probably be dismissed.
26
Lines 29: “It’s as simple as that …” “It” in line 29 refers to
A admitting one’s mistake. B dropping the ball.
C particular situation. D paying for one’s mistake.
27
Line 30 : “ … Darrel Jones … companies.” This line indicates that Darrel Jones has the duty to … legal advice.
A ask B follow C give D seek
Lines 30-32: “Among … Williams.”
In these lines we find that the tragedy … affect Aaliyah's label, Virgin Records and Instinct. A might
B should C will D would
29
Which of the following statements about Hype Williams is true?
A He is a well-known director of hip-hop videos.
B He is famous for his interest in hip-hop. C He is the director of famed hip-hop videos. D He is the owner of Instinct and Virgin records.
30
Lines 32-33: “Williams … shoot.” Having read these lines we may say that A Williams always picked suitable videos. B Williams had the final say on where to video. C Williams only could and wanted to choose good video spots.
D Williams thought only he could choose good video spots.
31
Lines 33-34: “ If this shoot followed practice … ” Instead of saying “If this shoot followed
practice” we could say that if on this occasion things were done in the … way.
A curious B remarkable C striking D usual
The phrase “according to” (line 33) is similar to the following except
A as asked by. B as reported by. C as said by. D as stated by.
33
Williams and company returned to the mainland on a chartered A aircraft. B boat. C plane. D vehicle. 34
Lines 37-38: “Representatives … comment.” These representatives probably could not be reached for comment by
A Aaliyah’s crew. B investigators. C the authorities. D the media.
35
After having read the text we may say that the most suitable title is
A Aaliyah’s death a loss for the world. B Aaliyah will always be remembered. C Clues to Aaliyah’s fatal flight. D The death of a diligent R&B singer.
