Amazon Prime Air Cargo Plane Crash and Safety Concerns at 21 Air

The Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 cargo plane that crashed near a Miami runway on Sunday resulted in the deaths of five individuals. Legal documents reveal that a North Carolina company, 21 Air, operated this aircraft. The company, linked to Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, has faced accusations from past employees of violating safety regulations.

Former employees of 21 Air, the cargo airline contracted by Amazon, have raised numerous safety complaints. These complaints include allegations of firing employees who voiced concerns. Pilot Karl Seuring, with over 30 years of experience, filed a legal complaint, stating he was told by a 21 Air manager, “It’s not going to change,” when he raised safety issues.

Seuring’s complaint was initially rejected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). However, his appeal prompted a Department of Labor tribunal hearing in 2023, which remains pending. Seuring and other former pilots allege that the company suppressed safety reports, pressured crews to fly without proper rest, and employed pilots lacking sufficient English language skills.

Bruce Joseph, a former chief pilot at 21 Air, testified in the Labor Department tribunal, stating that employees were discouraged from logging safety concerns. Joseph recounted that the company’s then-director of safety advised against entering data into the safety management software without first consulting the CEO, Mike Mendez. Mendez claimed Joseph was trying to “make up” damaging claims, denying any retaliation or violation of safety procedures.

Michael Anello, Seuring’s attorney, highlighted instances of pilots, including Johnny Salmonson, being pressured to fly with insufficient rest periods, compromising safety. Seuring described a flight incident on April 13, 2022, where a mechanical problem caused the plane to exceed safe speed limits. He expressed concern for his safety, citing a “breakdown of communication” between the captain and first officer.

Another incident involved a pressurization problem during a flight from Alabama to Trinidad, leading to an emergency diversion to Puerto Rico. Seuring claims the captain, 21 Air’s fleet manager Amir Anoshiravani, failed to command effectively. Anoshiravani denied this incident and criticized Seuring’s motives.

21 Air has not replied to requests from CBS News for comments but stated it is “cooperating fully” with the NTSB investigation into the crash. An Amazon spokesperson expressed condolences and deferred to the NTSB and 21 Air for further details.

The crash involved a Boeing 767-300, operating as Prime Air Flight 7598, which overshot the runway at Miami International Airport on September 6, 2026. Retired 21 Air pilot Tony Bless shared his perspective on the crash, noting previous maintenance and safety concerns.

Bless, a former pilot with 40 years of experience, recounted a 2022 flight where radar failure coincided with severe turbulence. He informed the company he would not fly that plane without a new radar. He and Seuring mentioned various safety issues, including fuel leaks, radar problems, and insufficient crew rest facilities.

Former fighter pilot Don Helmig, in a resignation email to 21 Air owner Jim Crane, warned of widespread safety issues at the company. Helmig shared documents outlining problems with training, scheduling, communications, and emergency response at the firm.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is actively investigating the crash, with the cause yet to be determined. Sunday’s crash involved a van that was struck by the aircraft, killing the individuals inside, as reported by Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz.

Flight data indicated the plane deviated from its descent four miles from Miami’s 9,360-foot runway, approaching too high, resulting in a steep decline. Mary Schiavo, a former Department of Transportation inspector general, suggested the investigation might uncover cockpit issues or crew resource management failures.