Miami crash raises concerns about the jet's operator, and why it's flying for Amazon
A cargo jet flying for Amazon skidded off a Miami International Airport runway, killing five cabin cleaners and injuring three others who remain hospitalized. The aircraft struck a van during the accident, leading to at least five lawsuits against Amazon and the jet's operator, 21 Air. Investigators are analyzing the black box to understand a "strange sequence of events" prior to the crash. The incident has drawn attention to the business ties between the cargo operator and the owner of the Houston Astros.
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- ✓ Five people were killed when an Amazon cargo plane skidded off a runway in Miami.
- ✓ Three survivors of the crash are still in Miami-Dade hospitals.
- ✓ The cargo jet struck a van during the accident.
- ✓ At least five lawsuits have been filed following the crash.
What changed
Five lawsuits have been filed and black box data has revealed unusual events preceding the crash.
Live updates
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Miami Cargo Plane Crash Leads to Lawsuits and Operator Scrutiny
A cargo jet flying for Amazon skidded off a Miami International Airport runway, killing five cabin cleaners and injuring three others who remain hospitalized. The aircraft struck a van during the accident, leading to at least five lawsuits against Amazon and the jet's operator, 21 Air. Investigators are analyzing the black box to understand a "strange sequence of events" prior to the crash. The incident has drawn attention to the business ties between the cargo operator and the owner of the Houston Astros.
Why it matters
The crash highlights the risks faced by airport ground crews, specifically cabin cleaners. It also raises questions about the safety and vetting of third-party operators contracted by major retailers like Amazon.
What is confirmed
- Five people were killed when an Amazon cargo plane skidded off a runway in Miami.
- Three survivors of the crash are still in Miami-Dade hospitals.
- The cargo jet struck a van during the accident.
- At least five lawsuits have been filed following the crash.
Still unconfirmed
- Black box data shows a strange sequence of events occurred just before the jet skidded off the runway.
What to watch next
- Release of the official black box analysis report
- Court rulings on the liability of 21 Air and Amazon
- Findings on why the pilots continued the landing if they suspected a malfunction
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (15)
- CNN — Amazon plane’s black box reveals strange sequence of events just before cargo jet skidded off runway, killing 5
- WSJ — Miami Crash Puts Focus on Houston Astros Owner’s Cargo-Jet Business
- Miami Herald — After media dust-up, Miami-Dade sheriff tells mayor: That can’t happen again
- WPLG Local 10 — Attorney for 75-year-old worker killed in cargo plane crash: ‘This was an outstanding man’
- WPLG Local 10 — After cargo jet struck van at Miami International Airport, survivor ‘was thrown into the air,’ attorney says
- nbcmiami.com — Miami-Dade sheriff, mayor appear to shake off tense moment in front of hot mics
- miamiherald.com — ‘Nowhere for him to go,’ ‘No time to escape.’ Van survivor sues 21 Air, Amazon
- NPR — Miami crash raises concerns about the jet's operator, and why it's flying for Amazon
- NBC 6 South Florida — Survivor ‘flung into the air' during Miami cargo plane crash, new lawsuit says
- CNN — From Cuba to the jetway, 5 men eked out a living cleaning cabins in a perilous, fast-paced job. A runway crash killed them
- KCCI — 5 killed by Amazon cargo plane remembered as generous crew who took pride in their dangerous work
- WPLG Local 10 — 3 survivors of fatal cargo plane crash remain hospitalized in Miami-Dade
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