Amazon will temporarily halt its use of 21 Air, the operator of the Prime Air cargo jet that overshot a runway and plowed into a van at Miami International Airport last week, killing five people, after numerous safety complaints about the company came to light.
The online retail giant confirmed the pause to NBC News, saying its decision is a result of the probe into the fatal Sept. 6 plane crash as well as a review of “some of the surrounding circumstances.”
“After the tragic incident last weekend, we’ve spent time supporting the investigation and reviewing some of the surrounding circumstances, and we’ve decided to pause our operations with 21 Air, the operator of Flight 7598,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told the outlet.
Amazon said that it’s working with other shipping companies to fill in gaps left by 21 Air’s suspension, including Sun Country Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Air Transport International, ABX Air, ASL Airlines and Cargojet.
The deadly wreck of Prime Air Flight 7598, operated by 21 Air, happened when the jet careened off the runway, plowing into multiple vehicles before going on fire.
Five people, part of a cleaning crew, who were in a van struck by the cargo jet were killed and another five were wounded, according to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. Both pilots survived with minor injuries.
21 Air’s CEO said he was “devastated” by the crash and offered his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Amazon’s decision to suspend operations with 21 Air comes as former pilots for the air carrier reported safety concerns with the North Carolina-based company controlled by Houston Astros owner Jim Crane through an LLC.
“Unfortunately, 21 Air has a long-established history of safety problems,” former employee, pilot Karl Seuring, who filed a legal complaint against the company, told CBS News.
Retired 21 Air pilot Tony Bless also told the outlet that the crash came as no surprise to many former employees, citing longtime concerns about maintenance issues, the quality of pilots the company hired and pressure from managers.
“It’s something a lot of us ex-21 Air pilots have been anticipating for a while,” Bless said.
21 Air did not respond for comment by the time of publication.
Read the full article here
