An Amazon cargo jet overshot the runway at Miami International Airport, crushing a van and killing five members of a plane cleaning crew. Video footage circulating around September 9 appears to show a pilot leaping from the aircraft just before the collision. The incident left two other workers in critical condition after their vehicle was struck by the speeding plane.
Five Cleaners Killed in the Econoline Van Crush
The victims were employees of Professional Ocean Service Corp, a company that has provided cleaning and disinfection services at Miami International Airport for at least 15 years. According to the report, the victims included Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.. These workers were nearing the end of an eight-hour shift when the aircraft struck their Econoline van.
Two other crew members, Ridoel Averhoff Diaz, 32, and Roosevelt Sebastian Perdomo Torres, 36, survived the impact but remained in critical condition as of Tuesday, September 9, according to the sheriff's office. The sheer force of the cargo jet's overshoot transformed a routine end-of-shift moment into a mass-casualty event for the ground crew.
The Video of the Pilot Jumping from the 21 Air Jet
Footage that began circulating on September 9 provides a jarring visual of the moments preceding the crash, appearing to show a pilot jumping from the aircraft. The plane was operated by 21 Air on behalf of Amazon. Investigators stated that the jet appeared to be reconsidering its landing approach before it ultimately ran out of runway and careened into the service vehicle.
The image of a pilot escaping the cockpit while ground workers remained trapped in their van underscores a stark disparity in survival options during aviation accidents.. While the flight crew had a path to exit, the cleaners in the Econoline van were positioned directly in the path of the speeding aircraft.
Jorge Garcia's Wrongful Death Suit Against Amazon and 21 Air
Attorney Jorge Garcia has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Amazon, the operator 21 Air, and the pilots involved. Garcia represents the family of Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo , who immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 2011 and spent 14 years working multiple jobs to support his family. Naranjo was working a shift from 6 a .m. to 3 p.m. for Professional Ocean Service Corp at the time of the crash.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the logistics giant and the aircraft operator accountable for the failure to stop the plane on the runway.. as reported, Naranjo's wife only discovered the tragedy after her husband failed to return home and she encountered news stories about the crash at Miami International Airport.
The High-Pressure Turnaround at Professional Ocean Service Corp
The tragedy highlights the precarious nature of aviation cleaning, where tight turnaround times create a high-stress environment. Soma Priddle , a retired commercial airline captain and attorney, noted that cleaning crews are often rushed by foremen to clear trash and disinfect cabins the moment passengers exit to ensure the plane can depart on schedule.
This pressure is compounded by poor compensation and a lack of stability. Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ Service Employees International Union,stated that these roles are often filled by workers with little experience who earn close to minimum wage without benefits. A union report regarding Charlotte Douglas International Airport echoed these concerns, finding that a worker shortage had left crews feeling rushed, with over half of the staff having less than a year of experience.
Why the Jet Ran Out of Runway at Miami International
Significant questions remain regarding the technical cause of the overshoot. While investigators noted the jet "appeared to be reconsidering a landing," the specific reason for the failed approach—whether it was mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental factors—has not been detailed. Furthermore,the source does not provide a statement from 21 Air or Amazon regarding the pilot's decision to jump from the plane.
It remains unclear if the pilot's jump was a coordinated emergency evacuation or a spontaneous act of survival. The investigation by airport authorities and aviation regulators will need to determine why a cargo jet of that size was unable to stop before exiting the runway boundary at Miami International Airport.
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