During the production of American Made, a 2015 aerial-filming accident in Colombia deeply changed lives and exposed filmmaking dangers. A twin-engine Aerostar 600 used on set crashed with three veteran pilots: Andrew Purwin, Jimmy Lee Garland, and Carlos Berl. Purwin and Berl died; Garland survived with injuries that ended his aviation career.
Despite their experience, concerns about the plane’s condition—especially from Berl—were ignored. Production pressure and worsening weather discouraged caution. The crash led to lawsuits claiming negligence, mechanical issues, misrepresented certifications, and pressure to fly in unsafe conditions. These were disputed, but critics said safety was secondary to spectacle.
A multi-year legal battle ended in a private 2019 settlement, offering little solace to families or Garland. The tragedy pushed the industry to use more CGI, strengthen independent safety oversight, and empower pilots to halt unsafe flights.
For most viewers, American Made is thrilling. For those affected, it’s a lasting reminder that no cinematic goal is worth compromising human life.