Widow files wrongful death lawsuit after Amazon cargo plane crash killed husband at Miami airport
MIAMI —
Yaraisi Santiso Morejon, whose husband Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo was killed when an Amazon cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging multiple failures contributed to the disaster.
Submitted Photo
Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo
The NTSB confirmed that the five fatalities were individuals in vehicles hit by the plane, not passengers aboard the aircraft.
The other four victims have been identified as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
Lawsuit alleges failures, including pilot error
Amazon Air Flight 7598 landed and overran Runway 30 at Miami International Airport on Sunday. The plane struck vehicles on and near airport property, including a van driven by 53-year-old Naranjo.
The lawsuit, filed by the victim’s wife, names several defendants and alleges their negligence contributed to his death.
“Our hearts go out to Yaraisi and her family, as well as all those who were impacted by what we believe was a preventable tragedy,” said Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan. “No one should lose their loved one this way, and the filing of this lawsuit is just the beginning of our fight to secure justice and accountability for Mr. Naranjo’s death. Everyone who played a role in this horrific crash will be held accountable.”
The lawsuit names Amazon, Inc., Amazon Air Cargo, 21 Air LLC, other related companies involved in the plane’s operation, the aircraft’s lessors, and the pilots, Joseph Carroll and Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, as defendants. It cites multiple alleged failures, including pilot error, inadequate training, and the use of a 32-year-old aircraft.
“This was not a freak accident”
“We allege that this was not a freak accident, but a foreseeable and preventable disaster caused by negligence,” said Morgan & Morgan attorney Mike Morgan. “What we’ve already uncovered points to a series of failures by the people flying the plane, the companies that put it in the air and the systems that were supposed to prevent this exact kind of tragedy. Yaraisi deserves answers and justice. We intend to get her both.”
Pilots treated and released
Both pilots were treated and released, while three other victims remain hospitalized. One is in critical condition, and another is stable.
Officials are still on the scene to assist with traffic control as the investigation into the incident continues.
The case was filed in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County.
Amazon released a statement and background points:
“Our deepest sympathies remain with the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating tragedy. The NTSB is on the ground at Miami International Airport conducting their investigation. We’ll fully cooperate with them and support any other investigating authorities and we’ll also continue to coordinate with 21 Air, which operated the flight. Amazon leaders are also meeting with local officials, first responders, and others in the community to offer our support.” — Kelly Nantel, Amazon spokesperson
Attributable background from Amazon:
We’ve been working with local officials in Miami-Dade for the past several days to obtain contact information for the families affected by this tragedy and to determine other ways we can support the community. This contracting operating model is standard practice in commercial aviation where one party is not a certificated air carrier, including with vacation travel providers and freight forwarders — and is not unique to Amazon. DHL, for example, isn’t a U.S. carrier and contracts with the same and similarly situated carriers for its U.S. operations, including 21Air and Cargojet. The same model is also prevalent in cargo aviation. FedEx, UPS, and DHL all use contract carriers. ASL Aviation Holdings operates European and international cargo flights for FedEx Express, UPS, DHL, and Amazon Air. Major U.S. (and foreign) passenger airlines also contract with independent carriers to operate flights under their brand but as separately certificated and regulated air carriers. Republic Airways operates flights for American and United under similar arrangements; SkyWest Airlines operates flights for Alaska, American, and United. Every aircraft in the Amazon Air fleet is operated and maintained by an FAA Part 121 certificated air carrier (or foreign equivalent) under an FAA-approved operations and maintenance program and otherwise in accordance with federal aviation regulations. The FAA actively oversees each carrier’s programs and any changes are individually reviewed and approved by the FAA. These programs require: licensed individuals to perform regulated activities, recurrent training of licensed personnel, and routine aircraft inspections and maintenance at regular intervals.
“We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami on 09/06.
Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. Our immediate priorities are supporting those affected, assisting the authorities, and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available.
We are cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and local authorities. The circumstances of the accident are under investigation.
Additional verified information will be posted on this page as it becomes available.
21 Air has established a toll-free Family Assistance Line to provide information directly to families of crew members and personnel involved in this event.
Family Assistance Line: 866-681-1193 Available: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This line is reserved for families and loved ones affected only.”
Keith Winters,
21Air CEO
WPBF 25 is reaching out to both pilots for comment.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
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