MIAMI (AP) — Five individuals died when an Amazon cargo jet overran the runway at Miami International Airport, crashing into a van used for cleaning crews, authorities reported. The incident occurred on Sunday as the jet landed, subsequently hitting the van, breaching a fence, and colliding with an SUV on a nearby street.
In addition to the fatalities, five others sustained injuries. The pilot and co-pilot have been discharged from the hospital, according to Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz. Two individuals remain in critical condition, while one is stable.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation into the crash, focusing on the absence of a system designed to decelerate and halt fast-moving jets at runway ends. Miami International Airport lacks the lightweight, crushable material that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states has saved approximately 500 lives at other airports.
Despite this, experts noted that Miami's airport complies with federal regulations, as it includes a 1,000-foot (305-meter) safety buffer at the end of its runways. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy emphasized the need for implementing safety recommendations to prevent future incidents, stating, "Our recommendations must be implemented or we're going to be here again," during a news conference on Monday.
Investigators have retrieved the flight data recorder, and reviews are currently underway. Interviews with the pilot, co-pilot, air traffic controllers, and other personnel are being arranged, Homendy added.
Amazon expressed its condolences in a statement, indicating cooperation with the investigation. The deceased individuals were identified as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
The cargo jet was arriving from Puerto Rico when it encountered storm conditions in the Miami area. The NTSB reported that the aircraft traveled approximately 1,300 feet (396 meters) beyond the runway's end.
Homendy described the crash scene as "utter devastation," noting the presence of vehicle debris, air bags, and navigational equipment scattered along the crash path. Strong winds exceeding 25 knots were recorded prior to the incident, and experts suggested that a strong tailwind may have contributed to the jet's extended landing distance.
It remains unclear why the pilot did not opt for a go-around maneuver. Air traffic controllers had not adjusted the landing approach to account for the wind direction, which is a common practice at airports.
The flight was operated by 21 Air, a cargo carrier based in North Carolina, using a Boeing 767 that had previously served as a passenger aircraft for over two decades before its conversion to cargo service in 2015.
As a result of the crash, two of the four runways at Miami International Airport remained closed as of Tuesday, with NTSB investigators continuing to gather evidence from the scene. More than 225 flights were canceled, and hundreds more experienced delays over the weekend.
Homendy stated that the NTSB aims to expedite the reopening of the runway once the investigation is complete.