The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is shocked and extremely saddened to report the passing of veteran Miami Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT, MIA) controller and devoted Union member Narciso Torres, who was aboard a single-engine Cessna 172 that crash-landed Saturday on the Haulover Inlet Bridge north of Miami Beach, Fla.
Torres served as NATCA’s local facility representative at MIA since Oct. 1, 2019, and worked as an air traffic controller at MIA since June 2015. He began his FAA career in May 2008 at Orlando International ATCT (MCO), transferred to New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON, N90) for one year in 2010, and returned to MCO in July 2011, where he served as the NATCA facility representative from January 2013 to May 2015.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has sent shock waves throughout our NATCA family,” NATCA President Rich Santa said. “Our hearts go out to Narciso’s wife, Jennifer, his entire family, and the many fellow Union brothers and sisters that loved him so much and are now dealing with an unspeakable loss. Narciso touched so many people with his warmth and kindness, both within NATCA, in the facilities he worked, and in every interaction he had. He gave so much of his time to representing his members at MIA, and before that at MCO, and worked extremely hard on behalf of this Union to improve the working conditions of all controllers and the safety of the National Airspace System.
“Like so many thousands of our members, Narciso had such a deep love of all things aviation, and of flying, as evidenced by this flight on a beautiful South Florida day where he was doing what he loved. This loss hurts so deeply. Narciso will never be forgotten.”
