FBI Marks 20 Years Since VALUJET Flight 592 Crash, Fugitive Still Sought
On May 11, 1996, VALUJET Airlines Inc. Flight 592 crashed in the Florida Everglades, killing all 110 people on board.
The ensuing multi-agency investigation resulted in the indictment of Sabretech Inc., an aircraft repair facility, and three of its employees in connection with improperly packaged chemical oxygen generators that were loaded on Flight 592 that had been signed off by company employees despite lacking safety caps.
One of these individuals remains a fugitive from justice.
Mauro Ociel Valenzuela was indicted for violation of Title 18, USC, Section 371—conspiracy to make false statements to FAA and Department of Transportation; and Title 18, USC, Section 18, USC, Section 2 and Title 49, USC, Section 46312—causing the transportation of hazardous material. He was further indicted for violation of Title 18, USC, Section 401 (3)—disobedience and resistance to lawful order and command of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Floirda and violation of Title 18, USC, Section 3146—failure to appear for trial, as he fled before trial and became a fugitive.
Valenzuela is currently 47 years old. He may be in Chile under a false identity. He also has ties to Georgia. Valenzuela was trained as an Airframe and Power plant mechanic and at one time was an FAA certified mechanic.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Valenzuela is urged to contact the FBI at (754)703-2000.