Amazon Cargo Plane Crash in Miami Sparks Lawsuits and Ongoing Investigation

A Boeing 767 cargo aircraft operated by 21 Air for Amazon landed too fast on a Miami International Airport runway on a flight from Puerto Rico, struck a perimeter fence and collided with a van. The impact killed five Cuban-immigrant workers, including 75-year-old Julio Pineda, and left two others in critical condition. Four additional occupants of the van sustained minor injuries. Evidence recovered, including the flight-data recorder, indicates the pilots attempted to abort the landing and initiate a fly-around by increasing throttle, but the aircraft never became airborne again. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says its final report may take months.

The Guardian

All five deceased were long-time residents of the Hialeah neighborhood, having arrived in the United States to build better lives. Julio Pineda, a 75-year-old Cuban immigrant, was known for cooking for neighbors and working night shifts for an aircraft-cleaning contractor. The other victims—Rolando Aleman Leon, Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, Carlos Acosta Fajardo and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo (47)—were also employed by the cleaning firm Professional Ocean Services Corp.

The Guardian

Attorneys for the Pineda family and for the widow of Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo have filed nearly identical wrongful-death lawsuits against Amazon, 21 Air, the pilots and other related parties. The suits seek preservation of evidence, determination of liability and measures to prevent future incidents. A veteran airline-industry lawyer expects the cases may eventually be consolidated, noting the NTSB’s early release of information could aid the litigation.

The Guardian

Amazon announced it has paused operations with 21 Air while it supports the investigation. A company spokesperson said the firm is reviewing surrounding circumstances. 21 Air issued a statement expressing confidence in its safety policies, procedures and training. The NTSB has begun sharing preliminary findings with families, a shift from its historically limited transparency.

The Guardian

• “It’s just who he was, an outstanding man who was well loved in his community, who would help people out with anything they needed, and someone taken from his family suddenly in terrible circumstances,” — Mark Lopez-Trigo, an attorney representing the Pineda family

The Guardian

• “It wasn’t just the food, or the magic tricks he’d perform for the neighborhood kids, or the candies he gave them,” — Mark Lopez-Trigo, an attorney representing the Pineda family

The Guardian

• “And the third is to make sure this never happens again to anybody else,” — Mark Lopez-Trigo, an attorney representing the Pineda family

The Guardian

• “We are confident in our safety policies, procedures and training.” — Mark Lopez-Trigo, an attorney representing the Pineda family

The Guardian