This week, the children of Rolando Alemán León, one of the five Cuban victims of the Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport, publicly expressed their grief and demanded accountability from those responsible.
Duviel Alemán, 32, gave an interview to Univision and attended a press conference on Thursday at the offices of Goldberg & Rosen in downtown Miami.
His sister, Aylen Alemán, who resides in Brazil, joined the conference via Zoom.
The Tragic Day and Its Aftermath
On September 6, Rolando Alemán León, 55, originally from Cruces, Cienfuegos, lost his life when a Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air for Amazon Air, overshot runway 30 and collided with the van carrying seven employees of Professional Ocean Service Corp., an aircraft cleaning company.
Alongside Alemán, four other Cuban workers perished: Yoel Rodríguez Naranjo, Julio César Pineda Amiot, Carlos Acosta Fajardo, and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo.
A Son's Survivor's Guilt
Duviel Alemán's story is especially heartrending: he was supposed to work alongside his father that day, but a recent appendectomy and doctor's orders kept him home.
"I always sat next to him in the van. That was my spot, always. We even had fixed seats," he shared in the Univision interview.
The last time Duviel saw his father was when Rolando picked him up from the hospital.
"The last time I saw him in person was when he came to get me from the hospital after I was discharged," he recounted.
Since the tragedy, he has struggled with what his lawyer, Judd Rosen, describes as survivor's guilt.
"It makes the loss even more profound. It's a significant aspect of our case," Rosen noted to Local 10.
Over three weeks after the accident, Duviel has yet to return to work.
Asked about how he feels knowing he could have been among the deceased, he replied, "At first, I felt terrible." Yet, his family's support guided him toward healing.
"I decided I would try to push forward," he stated, adding, "my father would have wanted me to be here," seeking justice.
He described his father, holding back tears, as "a wonderful person. Whenever I called with a problem, he was there immediately, ready to help."
"I want the world to know he was a very good person," he emphasized.
Father and son had come to Miami from Cuba about a decade ago "hoping for a better future."
Before emigrating, Rolando was a beloved mailman in Cruces, Cienfuegos, and had begun working at Professional Ocean Service Corp. earlier this year.
A Daughter's Unsaid Goodbye
Aylen Alemán spoke with her father daily from Brazil, and the accident's news left her shattered.
"He was taken from me. On the 6th, my life stopped with that news, because, imagine, for anything that happened to me, the first person I thought of was my dad," she told Univision.
What weighs on her most is not having had the chance to say goodbye.
"I always told my dad how much I loved him, and he did the same, but I missed the last hug," she expressed.
During Thursday's Zoom conference, she described her father as the center of her life, summarizing her feelings: "My life has come to a halt."
Her final message was clear: "I want justice."
The Legal Battle: Accusations of Negligence
The Alemán family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on September 11 in Miami-Dade Circuit Court against Amazon.com, Amazon Air, Amazon Logistics, 21 Air, Jim Crane—21 Air's controller and owner of the Houston Astros—Titan Aviation Leasing, and the two pilots.
Rosen was forthright: "Numerous aviation-related errors occurred."
He pointed to Amazon, stating, "If we can connect the dots and show Amazon's involvement with the contractor in a manner that implies control, then they must take responsibility for their actions."
The lawsuit claims 21 Air operated with "a suppressed safety culture, exhausted crews, and aircraft with known defects," and that "safety reports were hidden at the order of upper management." It asserts that "none of this was hidden from Amazon or the aircraft owners."
Nearly three weeks after the crash, none of the parties involved had accepted responsibility. "To this day, no one has taken any responsibility for what happened. No one has admitted any wrongdoing," Rosen stated.
On September 13, Amazon released a statement announcing it had suspended its collaboration with 21 Air. Spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company would continue "working to support the investigation and everyone affected."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the crash's causes. The black boxes have been retrieved and sent to Washington, with official causes yet to be determined.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Amazon Plane Crash
What caused the Amazon plane crash at Miami International Airport?
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The black boxes have been retrieved, but official causes have not yet been determined.
Who is being held accountable for the accident?
The Alemán family has filed a lawsuit against Amazon.com, Amazon Air, Amazon Logistics, 21 Air, Jim Crane, Titan Aviation Leasing, and the two pilots, accusing them of negligence. As of now, none of the parties have accepted responsibility.
What actions has Amazon taken following the crash?
Amazon has suspended its collaboration with 21 Air and stated it will continue to support the investigation and those affected by the crash.