NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy details investigation into fatal Amazon cargo plane crash in Miami. Danamarie McNicholl reports on runway safety and flight delays. The widow of a man who died in the Amazon plane fire that crashed Sunday in Miami has filed a wrongful death lawsuit accusing the retail giant and its aviation partners of negligence and a series of dangerous landing errors. Yaraisi Santiso Morejón alleged that the disaster was caused by pilot error, inadequate staff training and the use of an unfit-to-fly aircraft, according to the complaint reported by Courthouse News. Her husband, Yoel Rodríguez Naranjo, was among five people who died when the Boeing 767 overran a runway at Miami International Airport and crashed into two vehicles before bursting into flames. Morejón also alleged that the flight was conducted under dangerous conditions, citing an active thunderstorm in the area, the outlet reported. DATA SHOWS AMAZON JET KEY BRAKING SYSTEMS WERE NOT DEPLOYED DURING DEADLY MIAMI CRASH: NTSB Aerial view showing long path of debris and perimeter damage caused by runway overflow. (National Transportation Safety Board/Fox News) “This disaster was not an unavoidable accident,” Morejón said. The complaint names the pilots as Captain Joseph Carroll, 55, and co-pilot Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, 37, accusing them of landing far beyond the safe zone of the runway. The plane reportedly landed at more than 40 knots, or 46 mph, faster than the recommended speed, landed 4,000 feet beyond the target zone, and failed to perform a proper nose flare maneuver, in which the pilot gently lifted the plane’s nose just before landing to slow its descent rate. When the approach became unstable, the pilots failed to execute a mandatory turn or declare an emergency, the lawsuit alleges. The plane eventually broke through the perimeter fence and overran the runway at about 1,300 feet. VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN FATAL AMAZON CARGO JET CRASH AT MIAMI AIRPORT Investigators are assessing a crushed white pickup truck that was struck near the cargo plane crash. (National Transportation Safety Board/Fox News) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday that investigators are still working to determine what happened during the crash and have not released an official cause. Flight operator 21 Air was also accused of inadequately training its pilots, providing poor crew supervision and imposing demanding flight schedules. Previous safety complaints from former employees were also ignored or suppressed, according to the outlet. Crews were reportedly forced to fly without adequate rest, pilots with limited English proficiency were allowed to fly, and planes remained in service despite ongoing problems, the lawsuit alleges. In a statement to Fox Business, Amazon said every aircraft operated on its behalf was flown by an FAA-certified airline under FAA-approved operations and maintenance programs. “The FAA actively monitors each airline’s programs and any changes are reviewed and approved individually by the FAA,” the company said. “These programs require: persons licensed to perform regulated activities, periodic training of licensed personnel, and routine aircraft inspections and maintenance at regular intervals.” A destroyed vehicle lies near evidence markers in front of the downed Amazon Air freighter. (National Transportation Safety Board / Fox News) Following the incident, 21 Air issued a statement expressing its condolences to those affected. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. Our immediate priorities are to support those affected, assist authorities and ensure that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available,” the operator said. AMAZON CARGO PLANE OVERCOME MIAMI AIRPORT RUNWAY AND HIT ‘MULTIPLE’ VEHICLES; 5 DEAD, 5 INJURED Officials inspect the charred engine assembly on the side of the Amazon Prime Air fuselage. (National Transportation Safety Board/Fox News) Meanwhile, the aircraft’s owner, Atlas Air, was accused of supplying a 32-year-old plane and failing to ensure that critical stopping systems were fully operational and safe. Authorities revealed Tuesday that key braking systems, including speed brakes and thrust reversers, did not deploy during landing, citing available recorded data recovered from the crash. The NTSB said investigators will continue to look into the circumstances of the incident. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS Ticker Security APP Last Change Change % AMZN AMAZON.COM INC. 252.40 -4.57 -1.78% Amazon was also named in the lawsuit for allegedly failing to adequately supervise operations. In a statement, the retail giant expressed its condolences to those affected by the accident and said it was working with investigators and its operators on the matter. Amazon added that the use of independent airlines was “standard practice in commercial aviation.” “Major U.S. (and foreign) passenger airlines also contract with independent carriers to operate flights under their brand, but as separately certified and regulated air carriers,” Amazon said.
