The operator of the Amazon cargo plane that crashed in Miami, killing five people, has a history of alleged safety violations, according to former employees.
21 Air, a North Carolina-based company controlled by Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, was contracted by Amazon Air to operate the Boeing 767 that crash-landed on September 6 after overshooting the runway at Miami International Airport. The aircraft then struck vehicles on a nearby road. The five victims have been identified as Rolando Aleman, 55, Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53, Julio C Pineda, 75, Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53, and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
According to interviews and records reviewed by CBS News, former employees claimed they were terminated for raising safety issues.
"Unfortunately, 21 Air has a long-established history of safety problems," said Karl Seuring, a pilot with over three decades of experience. Seuring filed a complaint alleging retaliatory firing after he raised safety concerns to a 21 Air manager, who he claims responded, "It's not going to change." His complaint was initially rejected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and an appeal is currently pending before a federal judge.
Documents cited by CBS indicate that several pilots' complaints regarding aircraft airworthiness, insufficient crew rest periods, and pilots lacking English proficiency for safe communication were allegedly suppressed by 21 Air management.
Michael Anello, an attorney representing Seuring, stated that another 21 Air pilot, Johnny Salmonson, felt pressured to operate flights that deviated from safety regulations concerning required rest periods. "The management was pushing the pilots, and the result was he was retaliated against," Anello said.
Seuring also testified about an incident in April 2022 where a mechanical issue caused a plane to accelerate uncontrollably, exceeding speeds that could damage its wing flaps. He stated he felt "concerned for my own safety" during the event and that following the incident, there was "no debrief. No discussion. Assume it didn't happen."
Another former 21 Air pilot, Bruce Joseph, testified in March 2024 that employees were frequently discouraged from reporting safety concerns. Joseph accused the firm's then-director of safety of instructing him to discuss safety issues with the company's then-CEO, Mike Mendez, before logging them. Joseph stated his concerns were only logged on a few occasions due to persistent pressure, which he believed would incur the "wrath of Mike."
The Boeing 767 was on its third flight of the day when the crash occurred, according to Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board. The pilots of the aircraft, Joseph Carroll, 55, and Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, 37, have since been released from the hospital. Three other individuals remain hospitalized: Eugenio Corredor, 79, and Ridoel Averhoff Diaz, 32, are in critical condition, while Roosevelt Sebastian Perdomo Torres, 36, is in stable condition.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration noted that Miami International Airport is not equipped with an Engineered Materials Arresting System, a safety feature designed to stop aircraft that overshoot runways. Such systems use beds of lightweight material to safely halt planes.
21 Air released a statement expressing devastation over the accident and offering condolences to the families of the victims. The company stated it is cooperating fully with the NTSB, FAA, and local authorities.