Miami, USA, 6 April 2026: Commercial passenger airplane at airport terminal gate in Miami. Large commercial jet parked on the tarmac at Miami International Airport under a cloudy sky.


A recent tragedy has brought frontline workers to the forefront of American discourse.

Following an eight-hour shift at Miami International Airport, a work van full of Professional Ocean Service Corp. cleaning crew members was struck by an Amazon cargo plane. Five employees— Rolando Alemán León, Yoel Rodríguez Naranjo, Julio C. Pineda, Carlos Acosta Fajardo, and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo—passed away from the crash, while two others—Ridoel Averhoff Diaz and Roosevelt Sebastian Perdomo Torres, survived with injuries. The incident has highlighted the workers who clean and the complexity of their role.

The contracted cleaning crew enhanced airline operations by cleaning and maintaining planes. From disinfecting touch points to removing hazardous waste, these Professional Ocean Service Corp. employees maintained healthy plane environments and kept air traffic moving. Situated in Miami, staff members often face extreme heat, work alongside moving aircrafts, and can be exposed to different chemicals.

While the job is demanding and dangerous, friends and family members of the five victims share that the men took pride in it. The devastating loss has left Professional Ocean Service Corp. "heartbroken." In a company statement shared by NBC 6 South Florida, the organization says employees are like family, offering its condolences and ongoing support.