Safety Concerns Surrounding 21 Air Ahead of Miami Cargo Plane Crash

The tragic crash of an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 cargo plane off a Miami runway on Sunday resulted in the deaths of five individuals, sparking inquiries into the safety practices of 21 Air, a North Carolina-based company operating the aircraft. The crash highlighted ongoing safety accusations, including claims of safety violations from past employees.

21 Air, controlled by Houston Astros owner Jim Crane through an LLC, has faced repeated complaints from senior staff. Several employees allege they were terminated for voicing concerns, as revealed in records and interviews gathered by CBS News. Karl Seuring, a seasoned pilot of over 30 years, filed a legal complaint stating he raised safety concerns but was met with dismissal from 21 Air management, who allegedly stated, “It’s not going to change.” OSHA dismissed Seuring’s retaliation claim over his firing, though his appeal led to a 2023 Department of Labor tribunal that is ongoing.

Former 21 Air pilots have claimed that management suppressed safety reports, compelled crew members to fly without adequate rest, employed pilots lacking sufficient English proficiency, and operated potentially faulty aircraft. These claims have been documented in legal proceedings. According to Bruce Joseph, a former chief pilot, there was “personal knowledge of people being discouraged” from reporting safety issues, adding “on numerous occasions” he was advised against inputting data into the safety management system. Joseph’s assertions include facing managerial pressure, with company safety procedures seeming to be unheeded.

Mike Mendez, the former CEO, countered Joseph’s claims as fabricated, refuting any mishandling of safety guidelines. He insists his primary responsibility was maintaining a safe airline operation, denying any attempt to conceal safety problems.

Pressure to fly under inadequate rest periods was highlighted by attorney Michael Anello, representing Seuring. Another pilot, Johnny Salmonson, reportedly faced retaliatory action due to management pressure, affecting flight safety standards.

Seuring recounted an incident aboard a 21 Air Boeing 767 on April 13, 2022, where a mechanical issue led to excessive speeds risking wing flap damage. He noted a communication breakdown with the captain post-incident, leaving safety concerns unaddressed. Similar events included an emergency diversion of a flight bound from Alabama to Trinidad due to pressurization problems, claiming management failed to handle operations proficiently.

21 Air did not provide a statement to CBS News, though the company is cooperating with the NTSB investigation into Sunday’s crash, expressing condolences to the bereaved families.

A retired pilot, Tony Bless, vocalized that safety lapses were anticipated among former 21 Air pilots, citing routine maintenance deferrals and hiring practices compromising flight safety. Bless detailed technical failures experienced, further emphasizing insufficient crew rest accommodations.

Documents shared with Jim Crane by former fighter pilot Don Helmig in 2021 included safety concerns covering areas like scheduling, training, and emergency response. Helmig criticized the company’s response to safety management systems as lacking substantive action.

Current investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board are underway, aiming to determine the crash’s cause. Links to historical safety infringements remain uncertain. Flight tracking data obtained indicated the plane’s approach failed to maintain its descent correctly, resulting in an expedited landing attempt.

Mary Schiavo, a transportation safety expert, underlined the importance of analyzing black box data to understand cockpit dynamics and mechanical challenges faced during the crash.