10-09-2026
The widow of Yoel Rodrigues Naranjo, who was killed when an Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport, has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Amazon, the aircraft operator 21 Air and the two pilots. The lawsuit seeks at least US$50,000 in damages and alleges that multiple operational and pilot failures caused an avoidable disaster. Naranjo was driving a van carrying a cleaning crew when the Boeing 767 freighter overran the runway, struck vehicles and caught fire. Five people died and five others were injured, with two still in critical condition on Tuesday.
The lawsuit was filed as the US National Transportation Safety Board released a summary of cockpit recordings and flight-recorder data. The recordings indicate that one pilot repeatedly warned the other for nearly two minutes that the aircraft was travelling too fast during its approach and after touchdown. The NTSB said there was no consistent verbal response to those warnings. The aircraft reportedly made an unstable approach in strong winds, touched down nearly halfway along the 2,853-metre runway, briefly disengaged its brakes and increased engine power in an apparent attempt to take off again, then abandoned that attempt about four seconds later. Automated alerts also warned of excessive descent and proximity to terrain.
Aviation experts said the crew had opportunities to slow down or initiate a go-around, and questioned the cockpit’s communication, leadership, pilot seniority and adherence to company procedures. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, the weather, 21 Air’s operations and the plane’s previous service. The 32-year-old aircraft began as a passenger jet and was converted to a freighter in 2015. The NTSB has not yet determined the cause of the crash.
Entities: Yaraisi Santiso Morejon, Yoel Rodrigues Naranjo, Amazon and Amazon Prime Air, 21 Air, Boeing 767 freighter • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
10-09-2026
Investigators say one of the pilots aboard an Amazon cargo plane that crashed at Miami International Airport repeatedly warned that the aircraft was approaching too quickly, beginning nearly two minutes before the attempted landing. According to highlights from the cockpit recording released by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot also urged the crew to abort the landing at the last second. The other pilot did not provide a consistent verbal response to the speed warnings, investigators said. The full cockpit-recording transcript will be released later.
The plane overran the runway on Sunday afternoon by about 1,300 feet, struck a van carrying employees of an aircraft-cleaning company, and then hit a compact SUV while sliding across a public road before catching fire. All five people who died were occupants of the van. Five others were injured, including two who were still in critical condition on Tuesday. Both pilots survived.
Mike O’Donnell, a former Federal Aviation Administration official who worked in airport safety and crash investigations, said the crew had several opportunities to reduce the aircraft’s speed after the first warning. Potential actions included extending the spoilers, reducing thrust, lowering the landing gear, or abandoning the approach and performing a go-around. O’Donnell said that, even two minutes before touchdown, there was sufficient time to slow the plane or decide to circle and attempt another landing.
The NTSB released the recording details after investigators interviewed both pilots. The findings focus on the crew’s response to the excessive approach speed, but they do not yet establish the complete cause of the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
Entities: Amazon Prime Air cargo plane, Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida, U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
10-09-2026
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released preliminary findings into the Sept 6 crash of an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane at Miami International Airport. The Boeing 767, operated by Miami-based 21 Air, overran the runway by approximately 396 metres and struck two vehicles, killing five people and injuring five others.
According to cockpit voice-recorder data, one pilot repeatedly warned the other about excessive speed during the final one minute and 42 seconds before the crash. The NTSB said the responses to those warnings were inconsistent and did not identify which pilot made the comments. A “Too low terrain” alert was also heard several times before the aircraft touched down and overshot the runway.
Fifteen seconds before the recording ended, one pilot called for the landing to be aborted. The engine throttles were then increased to a level consistent with go-around thrust, but four seconds later they were reduced to idle power. Sounds resembling the aircraft leaving the paved runway followed. Earlier NTSB analysis of recorded flight data found no indication that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed to help slow the plane.
Investigators interviewed the captain and first officer on Sept 9 before releasing the cockpit-recording details. The aircraft was completing its third flight of the day, having previously flown from Cincinnati to Miami and then Miami to San Juan before returning to Miami. The 32-year-old aircraft was operated by 21 Air. The 55-year-old captain had 7,145 flight hours and received his Boeing 767 type rating in May. The 37-year-old first officer had 2,655 flight hours and received his 767 rating in April 2025. The NTSB’s findings remain part of an ongoing investigation.
Entities: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Amazon Prime Air, 21 Air, Boeing 767, Miami International Airport • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
