An Amazon Air cargo aircraft overshot the runway while attempting to land at Miami International Airport (MIA) on Sunday, killing five people and seriously injuring five others.
The Boeing 767-300 freighter, operated by North Carolina-based charter carrier 21 Air, crashed shortly before 2:00 pm local time after departing from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aircraft also struck several vehicles on the ground.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed that five people were killed and five others were injured in the incident. Three of those injured were reported to be in critical condition.
Emergency crews reached the crash site within seconds, according to the mayor. Several injured people were trapped inside or beneath vehicles and had to be extricated by fire and rescue personnel.
Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah said more than 200 firefighters responded after the aircraft caught fire, with heavy flames and smoke visible at the scene. While the fire was extinguished, emergency teams continued to deal with a fuel leak.
The cause of the crash remains unknown and will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is expected to provide an update at a news conference on Monday.
Miami International Airport said the aircraft had “overran” the airport’s diagonal runway and came to rest at the northwest end of the airport.
Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed the aircraft travelling at approximately 112 knots, or 129 mph (207 km/h), as it exited the usable runway. According to the tracking service, the aircraft eventually came to rest near a parking area serving an Amazon warehouse and other businesses.
FlightRadar24 also reported light thunderstorms and gusting winds in the Miami area around the time of the accident. However, officials have not indicated whether weather conditions contributed to the crash.
Amazon said it was working closely with local authorities and would cooperate fully with the investigation.
“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” said Kelly Nantel, Amazon’s Director of Corporate Global Media Relations.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded flights following the crash as emergency crews responded to the scene. The incident caused widespread disruption at Miami International Airport, with several flights cancelled or delayed.
Passengers reported long queues at airline counters as travellers attempted to reschedule flights, with some forced to extend their stay in Miami.
The crash occurred during the US Labor Day weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had estimated that around 17 million travellers would pass through US airports during the week leading up to the holiday, with approximately 2.3 million passengers expected to fly on Sunday alone.
Miami International Airport is a major gateway for both passenger and cargo traffic. Located close to downtown Miami, the airport describes itself as the busiest airport in the US for international freight and the second busiest for international passengers. It also serves as a major connection point between the US, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The incident is expected to trigger further scrutiny of runway safety, aircraft operations and emergency response procedures at one of the country’s key international air-cargo hubs.
