A woman whose husband was killed in a cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Amazon, the cargo airline 21 Air, the plane’s lessors, and the two pilots. Yaraisi Santiso Morejon filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Miami-Dade County, alleging multiple failures contributed to the death of her husband, 53-year-old Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo.
Rodriguez was one of five people killed Sunday when Amazon Air Flight 7598 overshot the runway and crashed into a van carrying a cleaning crew. The lawsuit states that the crash was a "foreseeable and preventable result of multiple, concurrent failures."
According to the suit, these failures include pilot error by Captain Joseph Carroll and co-pilot Jaime Felipe Silva Molina in attempting a high-speed, tailwind-affected landing without executing a mandatory go-around. It also alleges systemic failure by Amazon and 21 Air to ensure adequate pilot training and fitness. The lawsuit further points to the use of a 32-year-old aircraft whose braking, thrust reverser, and spoiler systems are under active investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
"This is a very hardworking family that came here from Cuba in 2011. They worked multiple jobs, really established themselves within the community, and they’re a really strong family," said attorney Jorge Garcia of Morgan & Morgan, the firm filing the suit on Santiso’s behalf. Rodriguez, who died upon impact, is survived by his wife and their 22-year-old son.
The NTSB launched its investigation into the crash this week. Investigators on Tuesday were inspecting the plane. Attorneys for the widow stated that filing the lawsuit promptly was important to preserve the rights of Rodriguez’s estate and to secure evidence during the NTSB probe.
"What we’ve heard from the cockpit so far sounds like a lot of confusion," said attorney Mike Morgan, referencing preliminary information that thrusters were fully engaged 15 seconds before impact. "This morning, we learned that the thrusters were fully engaged 15 seconds before impact, and so what that tells us is there was not a lot of cohesive strategy, and there was no emergency declared, and it leaves a lot of questions about what was going on in the cockpit."
Attorneys also noted that 21 Air has reportedly faced previous safety complaints from senior employees, and that Amazon allegedly knew or should have known about these deficiencies.
Amazon has stated that it is cooperating with all investigations into the incident and is attempting to obtain contact information for the victims' loved ones. A spokesperson expressed condolences to those affected.
The other victims of the crash were identified as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy described the scene as "utter devastation" and the van as "torn apart."
The crash ignited a fire and seriously injured the two pilots, who have since been released from the hospital. Attorneys have questioned the training and competence of the pilots involved in the incident.