A cargo plane operated by 21 Air, a North Carolina company, crashed off a Miami runway, resulting in five fatalities. The airline is contracted by Amazon and controlled by Jim Crane, owner of the Houston Astros. Several employees have accused 21 Air of ignoring safety regulations, as revealed in legal documents.
Safety Complaints and Allegations
Pilot Karl Seuring, with 30 years of experience, filed a complaint, stating his concerns were dismissed by 21 Air management. His appeal is pending in a Department of Labor tribunal. Former pilots claim safety reports were disregarded, pilots were pressured to fly without adequate rest, and aircraft with mechanical issues were used.
Sadly, 21 Air has a long record of safety violations.
Former chief pilot Bruce Joseph testified that pilots were discouraged from documenting safety issues. Executives were accused of ignoring safety procedures. Joseph recounted occasions when he was advised not to log concerns before consulting with CEO Mike Mendez.
Mendez denied any retaliatory actions, asserting commitment to safety. In tribunal testimony, Seuring detailed incidents corroborating safety lapses, including mechanical failures and communication breakdowns during flights.
Incidents Highlighting Safety Issues
Seuring testified about flights where mechanical issues led to emergency interventions. A notable instance involved a flight from Alabama to Trinidad, requiring diversion to Puerto Rico due to pressurization problems.
I feared for my safety due to unresolved mechanical problems.
Pilot Tony Bless, no longer with 21 Air, expressed surprise at the crash being anticipated due to ongoing safety issues and management pressures. Bless recounted various mechanical failures during flights, emphasizing deferred maintenance.
Investigation and Aftermath
The crash involved an Amazon Prime Air Flight overshooting the Miami International Airport runway. Captain Joseph Carroll and First Officer Jaime Felipe Silva Molina were hospitalized but have since been released. The crash also claimed the lives of five cleaning crew members.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. The cause remains undetermined, with no link to past safety allegations established. Flight data indicates a deviation in the plane’s descent, contributing to a steep approach and crash. Mary Schiavo, former DOT inspector general, emphasized the importance of cockpit recordings in uncovering factors leading to the crash.
Company Responses
21 Air opted not to comment but issued a statement of condolences and cooperation with investigators. Amazon also expressed condolences, noting the allegations precede their relationship with 21 Air. Discussions about safety lapses and operational pressures at 21 Air persist amid ongoing investigations.