At least five people were killed and five injured when an Amazon cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport in Florida on Sunday afternoon, striking several vehicles and catching fire. The Boeing 767 was arriving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said three of the injured people were in critical condition and two were taken to a local hospital.
What happened at the airport
The Federal Aviation Administration said 21 Air Flight 7598 overran the runway after landing at about 2pm local time on Sunday, September 6. The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300 operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air, was disabled at the north-west end of the airport.
Miami-Dade officials described the response as complex because the aircraft ran off the tarmac and struck multiple vehicles, trapping people inside some of them. Fire crews worked to extinguish the flames and assess patients while heavy smoke rose from the site.
What we know now
- The pilot and copilot were trapped in the cockpit after the crash, according to Miami-Dade rescue fire chief Ray Jadallah.
- More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene.
- A fuel leak was still being handled several hours after the crash.
- The National Transportation Safety Board has assembled an investigation team.
Flights and roads were disrupted
Miami International Airport said all runways and taxiways were closed from 3pm and that an air and ground stop was in effect, preventing other flights from landing or taking off. About 250 flights were delayed late Sunday, according to FlightAware.
The Miami-Dade sheriff’s office closed NW 67th Avenue between NW 25th Street and NW 36th Street and advised travelers to seek alternate routes. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of significant delays and potential cancellations for people traveling through the area.
Investigation planned
The NTSB said it had assembled a team to investigate and was scheduling a media briefing for Monday. The FAA also said it would investigate the crash.
Amazon said the aircraft was operated by 21 Air and that it would cooperate with the investigation. The company expressed sympathy to the families, loved ones and others affected by the deaths.
What happens next
The NTSB is scheduled to hold a media briefing on Monday as investigators examine the crash.
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