An Amazon cargo plane veered off a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals as it collided with vehicles and caught fire, according to officials. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. ET after the aircraft arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miami-Dade County authorities confirmed five fatalities, with three people in critical condition and two others hospitalized with less severe injuries.
Authorities mentioned that it was too early to ascertain whether the deceased individuals were onboard the plane or in the vehicles struck by the aircraft. The crash, which emitted thick black smoke into the air, trapped the pilot, copilot, and some car occupants, as stated by Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah. Emergency crews also addressed a fuel leak on the plane several hours post-impact.
Over 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene, where the Prime Air plane came to a stop next to a roadway close to two semi-trucks. Despite the fire, the aircraft mostly remained intact, resting on its belly. This flight was operated by 21 Air, a North Carolina-based cargo carrier, utilizing a 32-year-old Boeing 767 that was converted from a passenger plane to a cargo aircraft in 2015.
About 250 flights encountered delays at the airport later that Sunday afternoon, according to FlightAware. The National Transportation Safety Board announced the dispatch of an investigative team to Miami, led by Chair Jennifer Homendy. Amazon expressed cooperation with the investigation and extended condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
Witnesses near the crash site, like Jackson Lee, shared their experiences of seeing smoke rising near the airport’s perimeter after the incident. Lee, who manages an electronics store in the vicinity, was surprised by the proximity of the crash to their location despite being accustomed to the frequent airport activities.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the runway mishap involving the Amazon cargo plane at Miami International Airport.