An Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport, killing five and injuring five others after overrunning the runway and striking vehicles.
At least five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport Sunday, striking several vehicles and bursting into flames.
The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air as Prime Air Flight 7598, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it ran beyond the end of the airport’s diagonal runway at about 2 p.m. local time, according to officials and federal authorities.
Three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition, while two others suffered less serious injuries. Officials have not immediately determined whether all five people who died were in vehicles struck by the aircraft or whether any were aboard the plane.
Plane strikes vehicles and catches fire
The aircraft continued beyond the runway, crossing a nearby roadway and hitting multiple vehicles before coming to rest near the airport’s northwest end.
The crash triggered a major emergency response, with more than 200 personnel and dozens of rescue units sent to the scene. Firefighters battled intense flames and smoke from the aircraft while also dealing with a fuel leak.
The pilot and co-pilot were among those trapped during the initial rescue operation, while emergency crews also worked to free people from vehicles involved in the crash.
The aircraft was eventually brought under control, but the wreckage left a large emergency scene near the airport.
Miami airport operations disrupted
The crash forced Miami International Airport to shut down its runways and taxiways and prompted a full ground stop as emergency crews responded.
The disruption caused widespread delays and cancellations. More than 160 flights were canceled and nearly 325 were delayed by late Sunday, according to FlightAware data cited by the Associated Press. Some flights were diverted to Orlando International Airport.
Airport operations later resumed, although officials warned that delays could continue as the airport worked to return to normal service.
FAA and NTSB launch investigation
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are examining what happened during the aircraft’s landing. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy is leading the agency’s investigative team in Miami.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s approach and touchdown, weather conditions and other factors that may have contributed to the runway overrun.
Thunderstorms and strong wind gusts were reported in the Miami area around the time of the crash, although officials have not determined whether weather played a role.
Amazon responds to deadly crash
Amazon said it was devastated by the loss of life and expressed sympathy to the families and others affected by the crash.
The company said it would cooperate with authorities investigating the incident.
The aircraft involved was a 32-year-old Boeing 767 that had previously operated as a passenger aircraft before being converted to a freighter in 2015.
As investigators begin examining the wreckage and flight data, authorities are working to determine why the cargo jet was unable to stop on the runway and what led to the deadly chain of events at Miami International Airport.
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