During the production of the 2017 crime drama American Made, tragedy struck that forever changed lives and highlighted the hidden dangers of filmmaking. The accident happened in September 2015 in Colombia during aerial filming. A twin-engine Aerostar 600, used for production logistics, crashed with three experienced pilots on board: Andrew Purwin, Jimmy Lee Garland, and Carlos Berl. Purwin and Berl died instantly, while Garland survived with life-altering injuries that ended his aviation career.
Although all three were seasoned aviators, concerns about the aircraft’s condition—particularly from Berl—had gone unaddressed. Garland, who also served as Tom Cruise’s stunt double, often faced high-pressure situations balancing filmmaking with aviation safety. Purwin, known for bold flying, had a history of aggressive risk-taking. On the day of the crash, worsening weather and production pressures created an environment where hesitation was discouraged. The aircraft went down in rough terrain, leaving little chance of survival for two of the pilots.
The aftermath sparked lawsuits against the production companies, alleging negligence, coercion, and a failure to prioritize safety. Claims included mechanical issues, missing or misrepresented certifications, and pressure on pilots to fly in unsafe conditions. Court filings suggested safety concerns were minimized and paperwork misrepresented the aircraft’s state and pilot familiarity. While some points were disputed, the narrative revealed a culture where spectacle outweighed caution.
The legal battle lasted years and ended with an undisclosed settlement in 2019, offering closure legally but little for the families or Garland, whose life was permanently altered. The crash forced the film industry to confront the reality that real-world aviation carries consequences far beyond cinematic dramatization, especially in international productions with varying regulatory standards.
Although Hollywood has faced aerial filming risks before—such as a fatal jet crash during Top Gun in the 1980s—the American Made accident showed that history can repeat when commercial pressure overrides lessons from the past. Since then, productions increasingly use CGI to reduce dangerous flights, and greater emphasis is placed on independent safety officers, clear pilot authority, and the freedom to ground flights without repercussions.
For viewers, American Made remains an exciting, fast-paced film. For the families of Purwin and Berl, and for Garland, it is a painful reminder of lives lost when safety was compromised. The tragedy underscores that cinematic ambition should never outweigh human life. It stands as a lasting warning that professionalism is measured not by risk taken, but by the care used to manage it.