The pilot in the plane crash that killed Aaliyah in August had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his body, the Bahamas Department of Civil Aviation announced Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
An autopsy of Luis Morales III,who died in the accident with the singer and seven members of her entourage (see "Aaliyah Killed In Plane Crash"), showed cocaine in his urine and alcohol in his stomach. The department is still investigating how the substances might have affected the 30-year-old pilot.
Twelve days before the August 25 crash, Morales pleaded no contest to cocaine possession in Pompano Beach, Florida, and was sentenced to three years of probation (see "Pilot Of Aaliyah's Plane Had Been Caught With Cocaine, Was Not Authorized To Fly"). His pilot's license should have been revoked, although it had yet to be at the time of the crash.
In the report released Tuesday, aviation officials also noted the Cessna 402B aircraft Morales was flying may not have undergone fuel-pump wiring modifications required three years prior to the accident. Particles and corrosion in the fuel filters also suggested routine maintenance had not been performed.
The department is still working to track down the owner of the plane and inspect the aircraft log, which should provide maintenance records.
An investigation shortly after the accident revealed the plane was at least 700 pounds overweight, a finding that also shows up in the latest report. Along with equipment used during the video shoot for "Rock the Boat" earlier on the day of the crash, the plane was loaded with one more passenger than it was certified to carry (see "Aaliyah's Plane Overloaded, Unbalanced, U.S. Report Says").
Although the exact cause of the crash is still uncertain, Tuesday's report does rule out a few possibilities. The authorities said the plane's engine, airframe, propeller and fuel tank showed no malfunction.
In May, Aaliyah's parents filed a lawsuit against the owners of the plane, Virgin Records and several other companies, alleging negligence and recklessness caused the crash (see "Aaliyah's Parents Accuse Virgin Of Negligence In Crash Suit").
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