A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed following the deadly cargo plane crash near Miami International Airport that killed five people during Labor Day weekend.
According to WSVN, the 53-year-old widow of the deceased van operator, filed a lawsuit against Amazon, Amazon Air Cargo, aircraft operator 21 Air LLC, and the two pilots involved in the September 6, 2026 crash. The fatal accident victim was traveling in a white Econoline van with six other employees of an aircraft cleaning company when the cargo aircraft overran the runway and struck the vehicle.
The lawsuit reportedly alleges possible pilot error, inadequate training, failure to properly execute landing or go-around procedures, and issues related to the aircraft’s age. These remain allegations in a civil complaint and have not been established as the cause of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board has confirmed that 21 Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-33A operating as a cargo flight from San Juan to Miami, overran the end of Runway 30 while landing at MIA. The NTSB investigation remains ongoing.
How Is a Wrongful Death Claim Filed in Florida?
Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death action generally arises when a death results from another party’s wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty. Florida law requires the lawsuit to be brought by the deceased person’s personal representative on behalf of eligible survivors and the estate.
A claim involving an aviation accident will typically require several important steps:
- Identify all potentially responsible parties, including aircraft operators, employers, maintenance providers, manufacturers, contractors, or other businesses.
- Preserve evidence, including flight data, cockpit recordings, maintenance records, training records, surveillance footage, employment documents, and accident-scene evidence.
- Investigate negligence and causation, often with assistance from aviation, engineering, reconstruction, and economic experts.
- Document damages, including lost financial support, funeral expenses, medical expenses, and other losses available under Florida law.
- File the wrongful death lawsuit against the parties supported by the evidence and proceed through discovery, negotiations, and, when necessary, trial.
Florida Statute §768.21 allows qualifying survivors to pursue certain losses, including lost support and services, while other damages may depend on each survivor’s relationship to the deceased. Florida law generally provides a two-year limitation period for wrongful death actions, although the specific deadline should always be evaluated by an attorney.
Why Aviation Wrongful Death Cases Can Be Difficult
Aviation-related wrongful death cases can be among the most complex types of Personal Injury Claim litigation. Success is never automatic, and one of the biggest challenges is determining exactly what caused the aircraft accident and which person, company, or organization may be legally responsible.
An experienced Accident Lawyer Miami families turn to after a serious aviation accident may need to investigate several potential sources of negligence. Unlike a typical motor vehicle accident, a commercial or private aircraft crash can involve multiple companies and individuals with overlapping responsibilities.
Potential causes may include:
- Pilot error or improper decision-making
- Inadequate pilot training
- Negligent aircraft maintenance
- Mechanical or equipment failure
- Defective aircraft components
- Failure to follow aviation safety procedures
- Runway or airport safety conditions
- Negligence by contractors or third-party aviation companies
Establishing liability in a Personal Injury Claim or wrongful death lawsuit may therefore require extensive evidence, expert analysis, maintenance records, pilot training records, flight information, surveillance footage, and other documentation.
Another major challenge is that an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may remain ongoing while civil litigation has already begun. As investigators uncover new evidence about the circumstances surrounding an aviation accident, attorneys may need to reevaluate their legal strategy, identify additional responsible parties, or amend allegations contained in a lawsuit.
It is also important to remember that filing a lawsuit does not establish negligence. In the Miami International Airport cargo plane crash case, the allegations against Amazon, 21 Air, the pilots, and other potentially involved parties must still be supported by evidence before liability can be established.
For families considering a wrongful death lawsuit or aviation-related Personal Injury Claim, working with an Accident Lawyer in Miami victims can consult may help ensure that important evidence is preserved and that every potentially responsible party is carefully investigated.
The Perazzo Law Firm represents personal injury and wrongful death victims following private and commercial aviation accidents in Miami. The firm’s attorneys investigate potential negligence involving pilots, aircraft operators, maintenance providers, defective components, airport conditions, and other contributing factors that may have caused or contributed to a serious accident.
If you or your family has suffered injuries or the loss of a loved one following an aviation accident, contact the Perazzo Law Firm to discuss your potential Personal Injury Claim and available legal options.
Contact a Miami Aviation Accident and Wrongful Death Lawyer
Families dealing with the loss of a loved one after an aircraft accident may face complicated questions involving aviation regulations, corporate responsibility, insurance coverage, and Florida wrongful death law.
The Perazzo Law Firm represents victims and families seeking compensation for injuries and wrongful death caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of others.
Contact the Perazzo Law Firm for a FREE initial consultation.
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