Officials are investigating the cause of an Amazon cargo plane that overshot the runway after landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, resulting in five fatalities and five serious injuries. The incident occurred around 14:00 local time (18:00 GMT) when the Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air, crossed a road beyond the runway and collided with several vehicles. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released.
21 Air, a charter company based in North Carolina, expressed its devastation over the accident and stated that it is cooperating with the investigation alongside Amazon. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed the casualties at a news conference on Sunday evening, noting that three of the injured individuals were in critical condition. Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah reported that some of the injured were trapped in vehicles and required extrication by rescue crews.
More than 200 firefighters responded to the scene after the plane caught fire. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash, with plans for a news conference on Monday. Experts indicated that video footage of the landing will be crucial in determining whether the aircraft landed within the designated zone on the runway.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily grounded all flights at the airport, coinciding with the busy Labor Day weekend travel period. Witnesses described the aftermath, with one local resident, Beth Tilman, noting a black cloud and an unusual odor at the crash site. A student pilot, Rohan Ellis, reported seeing mangled vehicles at the scene.
Flight data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the cargo flight was traveling at 112 knots (129 mph, 207 km/h) when it exited the usable runway. The plane had departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Kelly Nantel, Amazon's Director of Corporate Global Media Relations, expressed condolences for the loss of life and stated that the company is working closely with local authorities. 21 Air's CEO Keith Winters also extended condolences and emphasized the company's commitment to supporting those affected and assisting authorities.
The incident has caused significant disruptions at Miami International Airport, with many passengers experiencing delays and cancellations. Travelers reported long queues as they attempted to reschedule flights, with some facing extended stays in Miami. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projected that 17 million travelers would pass through US airports during the week leading up to Labor Day, with 2.3 million expected to fly on Sunday alone.