At least five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon cargo aircraft overran a runway at Miami International Airport, crossed a nearby road and struck vehicles. The Boeing 767 caught fire after the crash, prompting a large emergency response and major flight disruptions.
Amazon Cargo Plane Crash Leaves Five Dead and Five Injured
The cargo jet overran the runway shortly after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, at approximately 2:00 PM EDT on Sunday. It continued beyond the airport boundary and crossed a road used by workers at warehouses and nearby businesses.
Miami-Dade County officials said at least five people died in the accident. Of the five people injured, three were listed in critical condition, while two were hospitalized with less severe injuries.
Authorities had not immediately established whether the pilots survived or whether all those killed were travelling in vehicles struck by the aircraft. The pilot and copilot were trapped inside the cockpit, while other people became trapped in damaged vehicles, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah.
Emergency crews also rescued a person trapped beneath a vehicle. Images from the scene showed the aircraft resting on its belly beside a roadway and close to two semi-trucks. Much of the plane remained intact despite the intense fire.
Miami Airport Fire Draws Massive Emergency Response
Thick black smoke rose above the airport as flames spread around the aircraft’s engine compartment. Approximately 200 emergency personnel responded to the scene and used foam from specialized airport firefighting vehicles to bring the fire under control.
Crews continued managing a fuel leak several hours after extinguishing the main flames. The accident forced Miami International Airport to suspend flights for much of Sunday afternoon, creating widespread disruption at the busy travel hub.
More than 160 flights were cancelled and nearly 325 were delayed by late Sunday. Some inbound services were diverted to Orlando International Airport, located more than 200 miles north of Miami.
Passengers were urged to confirm their flight status directly with airlines as airport operations gradually resumed. Delays could continue while investigators examine the runway, wreckage and surrounding crash site.
NTSB Investigates Boeing 767 Runway Overrun
The National Transportation Safety Board sent an investigation team led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy to Miami. Investigators are expected to study the aircraft’s flight data, cockpit recordings, maintenance history, crew actions, runway conditions and weather at the time of landing.
The exact cause remains unknown. Thunderstorms and wind gusts reaching approximately 30 mph were recorded in the Miami area when the accident occurred, but authorities have not determined whether weather contributed to the runway overrun.
Aviation specialists said investigators would examine whether the plane touched down inside the designated landing zone or travelled too far along the runway before making contact. They are also expected to consider why the pilots did not abandon the approach and attempt another landing.
Video from the landing appeared to show the aircraft remaining above the runway for an extended period, according to former Transportation Department inspector general Mary Schiavo. Her observation remains an expert interpretation rather than an official finding.
Amazon Prime Air Flight Operated by 21 Air
The Prime Air flight was operated by 21 Air, a North Carolina-based cargo carrier. The 32-year-old Boeing 767 was originally manufactured as a passenger aircraft and operated for several airlines before being converted into a cargo plane in 2015.
Amazon expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said it would cooperate with the investigation. The company described the loss of life as devastating.
Investigators have not announced a preliminary cause, and the casualty count could change as authorities continue identifying those involved. The NTSB’s findings will be important in determining whether operational, mechanical, runway or weather-related factors contributed to the crash.
