‘He Was Well Loved’: Families Mourn and File Lawsuits After Amazon-Contracted Cargo Jet Crashes Into Van in Miami, Killing Five

Among the most treasured photographs kept by sons Junior and Jachel Pineda is one of their father, Julio, wearing a bright red apron embroidered with the words Chef Mago — the “wizard chef.” The 75-year-old Cuban immigrant is pictured clutching a ladle as he tends a pot on the stove, a reminder of a life of care and community that ended suddenly in a devastating accident.

Julio Pineda lived in Hialeah and worked long shifts cleaning aircraft for a contractor. Even after exhausting workdays he would cook for family, friends and neighbors — a fixture in his neighborhood who often entertained children with small magic tricks and handed out candy.

“It’s just who he was, an outstanding man who was well loved in his community, who would help people out with anything they needed, and someone taken from his family suddenly in terrible circumstances,” said Mark Lopez-Trigo, an attorney representing the Pineda family.

Crash And Investigation

Seven days after the accident, investigators continue to gather evidence. On the evening the Boeing 767 cargo jet — operating on behalf of Amazon and flown by contractor 21 Air as Flight 7598 — landed too fast at Miami International Airport, it broke through a perimeter fence and struck the van where Pineda and fellow aircraft-cleaning workers were seated.

Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have cautioned that a final report could take months, but preliminary evidence and flight data recorders indicate the flight crew attempted to abort the landing and begin a go-around by increasing engine power. Despite that attempt the aircraft did not become airborne again.

Legal Action

Lopez-Trigo’s firm has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit naming Amazon, 21 Air, the pilots and other parties, seeking preservation of evidence and answers about what happened. Lawyers for the widow of another victim filed a similar suit two days earlier; attorneys say the complaints allege the crash was foreseeable and preventable and point to multiple failures by the carriers and crew.

“The second form of justice is getting the answers to all of the questions that they have. Who exactly is responsible? Why did the pilots make the decisions they did and make the mistakes they did? And the third is to make sure this never happens again to anybody else,” Lopez-Trigo said.

Filing suit also compels involved parties to preserve evidence while civil teams pursue liability questions. Robert Clifford, a veteran airline-industry lawyer not involved in the cases, said he expects the lawsuits to be consolidated and to benefit from the NTSB’s early disclosures.

Responses From Companies

Amazon said it has paused its operations with 21 Air while it supports the investigation and reviews surrounding circumstances. Spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company will continue to support the investigation and those affected. 21 Air issued a statement asserting confidence in its safety policies, procedures and training.

Victims And Community Impact

All five victims were Cuban immigrants who had come to the United States seeking better opportunities. The men killed were identified as Julio Pineda, 75; Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47. Two other employees from the cleaning company remain hospitalized in critical condition; three others — including both pilots and a person in another vehicle — sustained minor injuries.

Pineda’s funeral was held last Sunday. Family members and neighbors described him as a hardworking, community-oriented man who continued to work at an advanced age because he loved staying active and helping others.

The lawsuits and ongoing investigation aim to provide answers for grieving families, determine responsibility and press for safety changes to help prevent a similar tragedy in the future.