The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday identified the five people killed in the crash of an Amazon Prime Air cargo aircraft on Sunday, and gave an update on the status of the pilots, who were both injured.
The deceased were: Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47. All five were inside a Ford Econoline van that was struck by the Boeing 767 within the boundaries of Miami International Airport.
The van was owned by Professional Ocean Service Corporation, a cleaning company.
Two other people were inside the van at the time of the collision, and both remain hospitalized, police said. Another individual whose car was hit by the airplane on a street outside the airport’s perimeter is also hospitalized.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that both pilots were treated for their injuries and released from the hospital.
The 767 overran the diagonal runway at Miami on Sunday afternoon. It hit the cleaning van, broke through the airport’s security fence, then struck the SUV on Northwest 67th Avenue.
According to the NTSB, the aircraft landed about 1,300 feet beyond the end of the runway. Preliminary evidence suggests the pilots may have considered aborting the landing after the jet touched down, investigators said Tuesday.
The NTSB is expected to interview the pilot and co-pilot on Wednesday.
The flight was operated for Amazon by 21 Air.
“We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami on 09/06,” 21 Air CEO Keith Winters said in a statement posted to the company’s website. “Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. Our immediate priorities are supporting those affected, assisting the authorities, and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available.”
Winters also said 21 Air is “cooperating fully” with the FAA, NTSB, and local authorities.
