Five members of an airplane cleaning crew were killed on Sunday when an Amazon cargo jet crashed into their van at the Miami airport as they were nearing the end of their work shift. Two other individuals in the van survived but remained in critical condition.
The victims were identified as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47. The survivors were identified as Ridoel Averhoff Diaz, 32, and Roosevelt Sebastian Perdomo Torres, 36.
According to attorney Jorge Garcia, who is representing Naranjo’s family in a wrongful death lawsuit, Naranjo, a Cuban immigrant who had been in the U.S. for 14 years, was working an early morning shift for Professional Ocean Service Corp. His wife discovered the news of the crash when her texts to him went unanswered and she found a news report.
Professional Ocean Service Corp. has been contracted to clean planes at Miami International Airport for at least 15 years. The company cleans and disinfects the interiors and exteriors of private and commercial jets, which can include tasks like replacing carpets and painting cabins. The work is often demanding, with crews rushing to clean planes between flights to meet tight turnaround times.
Workers in these roles typically lug cleaning supplies, navigate confined spaces, and are exposed to harsh chemicals and contaminants. Experts describe the job as fast-paced and physically taxing, with crews pushed to complete tasks quickly. Union representatives note that such airport service jobs often involve long hours, low pay, and limited benefits.