‘He Was Well Loved’: Families Mourn Victims of Miami Amazon Cargo Plane Crash

The families of the five people killed in the Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport are mourning loved ones as questions continue over how the tragedy happened.

Among the victims was 75-year-old Julio Pineda, a Cuban immigrant and aircraft-cleaning worker remembered by his family and community as a hardworking, generous man who loved cooking for friends, neighbors and family.

Pineda and four colleagues were killed when the Boeing 767 cargo aircraft, operating Flight 7598 from Puerto Rico, crashed through an airport perimeter fence and struck a vehicle after a high-speed landing attempt. Two other workers remain hospitalized in critical condition.

The other victims were identified as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.

Wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against Amazon, contracted operator 21 Air and other parties, alleging that failures contributed to the disaster. The allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.

Investigators from the NTSB are examining the aircraft’s flight recorder and other evidence. Preliminary information indicates the pilots attempted to abort the landing and initiate a go-around by increasing engine power, but the aircraft did not become airborne again.

Amazon has since paused operations with 21 Air, while 21 Air said it remains confident in its safety policies, procedures and training.

The NTSB’s final findings could take months. For the victims’ families, however, the search for answers has already become an important part of their grieving process.

Five lives lost. Five families changed forever. The investigation continues.