Tom Cruise’s bold and daring portrayal of pilot Barry Seal in the 2017 film American Made took a deadly turn during production. For the production, a twin-engine Aerostar 600 was flown in Colombia by three pilots: Andrew Purwin, Jimmy Lee Garland, and Carlos Berl. In the September 2015 collision, Garland sustained critical injuries and two fatalities. In their claims, the families alleged negligence and questioned safety measures.
Berl, who was experienced but unfamiliar with the Aerostar, voiced worries about security. Garland was a technician and pilot who worked as Tom Cruise’s double. Purwin was well-known for his audacious pranks and had a turbulent past in aviation. The weather-related crash occurred at the very moment there was intense pressure to go immediately.
Following were court instances involving claims of hacked airplanes, forced air travel, and fraudulent certifications. The lawsuits were resolved in 2019 for an undisclosed amount, highlighting the movie’s disastrous impact on the security, screening, and legal processes associated with making movies.
Similar flying threats were experienced during the Top Gun filming in 1985. American Made is still a potent cautionary tale about the dangers that come along with major motion picture accomplishments, even with its resurgence on streaming sites.
