Amazon suspends operations with subcontractor 21 Air after fatal crash in Miami

Amazon announced this Sunday, September 13, that it had suspended the use of flights chartered by subcontractor 21 Air, operator of the cargo plane which went off the runway at Miami airport in early September, causing five deaths. “After the tragic incident last weekend, we supported the investigation and studied the circumstances (of the crash),” said a spokesperson for the online commerce giant, “and we have decided to suspend our operations with 21 Air.”

The aircraft, which arrived from Puerto Rico, landed but overshot the landing strip, crossed a road before ending up on a lawn and catching fire. The accident resulted in the death of five people and five injuries, two of them serious. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened an investigation into the causes of the crash, as has the local sheriff's office.

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A service provider already singled out

Amazon has a fleet of more than 100 cargo planes, either its own or via leasing, but uses service providers to operate these aircraft, notably the companies 21 Air, Hawaiian Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. Since the incident, public radio NPR and CBS have unearthed documents questioning 21 Air's compliance with safety standards.

Several company veterans reported that management sought to discourage staff from reporting safety concerns. “Security has always been our priority,” assured the Amazon spokesperson, “whether internally or when we work with partners.” 21 Air is owned by Avia Acquisitions, itself controlled by logistics magnate James Crane, who also owns the Houston Astros professional baseball team.