Miami – A Miami International Airport cleaning crew member, Roosevelt Perdomo Torres, survived a harrowing cargo‑plane collision on Sunday that left five coworkers dead and left him with multiple fractures. Torres and his wife, Gladys, have filed a civil suit against Amazon, the cargo carrier 21 Air, the aircraft’s captain and first officer, and related entities, demanding accountability for what they describe as a preventable tragedy.
What happened
According to the complaint, Torres and six other employees were finishing an eight‑hour shift in a service van when a Boeing 767 cargo aircraft, operated by 21 Air, overshot the runway at an estimated 181 mph – well above the typical landing speed of about 155 mph for that model. The jet struck the van, turning it into a “heap of metal.” The lawsuit states that Torres was “flung into the air by the impact” yet remained conscious as he hit the ground, sustaining crushed and fractured injuries to his hand, leg and ankle.
“Fighting for his life amid the chaos, Mr. Perdomo Torres attempted to stand, but was unable to sustain his own weight,” the filing reads. “He was forced to remain on the ground, conscious of his severe injuries, fearing for his life, and fearing for the family members he would leave behind if he perished.”
Legal action and claims
The suit alleges negligence on the part of Amazon, which contracts the cleaning service, and 21 Air, which operated the flight. It also names Captain Joseph Carroll and First Officer Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, asserting that multiple safety lapses – from aircraft maintenance to pilot training – contributed to the “horrific and preventable event.”
Attorney Pablo Rojas, representing Torres, said the family needs “someone to be held accountable.” He emphasized that the crash was not an accident of fate but the result of “multiple people … maintaining the aircraft, operating it, vetting, pilot training, personnel, and how to operate it.”
Official response
Amazon issued a brief statement confirming that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is on site conducting its investigation. The company pledged full cooperation with the NTSB, other investigating authorities, and 21 Air.
“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,” the statement read.
Background and safety concerns
The NTSB’s preliminary data indicate the aircraft touched down at 181 mph, significantly faster than the normal landing speed for a Boeing 767. While the investigation remains ongoing, the lawsuit highlights a pattern of safety concerns that many in the aviation community have warned about, especially regarding cargo operations at busy airports.
For families of the victims and the broader Miami community, the incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety standards and transparent oversight of both private contractors and airline operators. The lawsuit seeks not only compensation for Torres’s injuries but also systemic changes to prevent future tragedies.
Next steps
The case will proceed through the Florida courts, where the plaintiffs hope to compel a thorough review of airport safety protocols, cargo‑plane operating procedures, and the contractual relationships between Amazon and its service providers. As the NTSB continues its investigation, the community watches closely for findings that could shape future aviation safety regulations in South Florida.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
