Singer Aaliyah killed in plane crash
ABACO, Bahamas (CNN) -- American R&B singer and actress Aaliyah is among eight people killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas.
The Cessna passenger plane crashed and burst into flames shortly after taking off from the island of Abaco bound for Miami on Saturday.
Abaco Assistant Police Superintendent Leland Russell said there were nine people -- all Americans -- on board the plane. One man survived the crash and was taken to a hospital in Nassau.
Aaliyah, 22, who was set to appear in the forthcoming sequel to "The Matrix," was on the island to film a new video.
Russell said the plane was leaving Marsh Harbour airport around 6:50 p.m. ET when it crashed and was engulfed by flames.
FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said the Cessna 402 was registered to Sky Stream of Pembroke Pines, Florida, and had been destined for Opa Locka, Florida.
Gloria Knowles, who works for Abaco Air Ltd. at Marsh Harbour airport, said baggage handlers reported the plane was overloaded with suitcases.
She said the handlers and the plane's pilot complained about the heavy load but the passengers insisted on taking everything with them.
Abaco Island Chief Councilor Silbert Mills said those killed included two women and six men.
Quincy Jones, 68, the Grammy-winning producer, arranger and composer, said he was devastated by Aaliyah's death.
He said: "She was like one of my daughters, she was one of the sweetest girls in the world.
"She vacationed with me and my family together in Fiji. I loved her and respected her and I am absolutely devastated."
The Bahamas' Minister of Tourism Tommy Turnquest told Associated Press: "We find it devastating and most unfortunate that after having this world-famous star Aaliyah and her crew select the Bahamas as their choice location for her latest video, the project has climaxed on such a tragic note."
In July, Aaliyah released her third album -- the self-titled "Aaliyah" -- which debuted in the top five on the Billboard album chart.
The disc was recorded while the entertainer was filming the big-screen adaptation of Anne Rice's "Queen of the Damned."
She made her film debut in last year's urban drama, "Romeo Must Die."
Good reviews for that performance led to roles in the upcoming sequels to "The Matrix" with Keanu Reeves.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Aaliyah grew up in Detroit. She released her first album, "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number," at the age of 14.
Her hit single, "Try again," off the "Romeo Must Die" soundtrack, is nominated for R-and-B Song of the Year at this year's Soul Train "Lady of Soul" Awards which will be held on Tuesday.
Aaliyah won Best Female Video and Video from a Film for "Try Again," in the 2000 MTV awards.