An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway and struck vehicles while landing at Miami International Airport, killing at least five people and injuring five others.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES
At least five people were killed when an Amazon Prime Air cargo flight overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, local officials said.
Prime Air Flight 7598 overran the airport’s diagonal runway shortly before 2 p.m. EDT and struck multiple vehicles on the ground, according to officials.
Five other people were injured, including three who were in critical condition, Miami-Dade Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said. At least two people were trapped inside vehicles struck by the aircraft, while the pilot and co-pilot were trapped inside the plane following the crash.
Officials did not immediately identify those who died.
More than 60 rescue units and about 200 emergency personnel responded to the crash, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said. Emergency crews were also dealing with an active fuel leak from the aircraft later Sunday, according to Jadallah.
The airport temporarily halted all flights following the crash. By Sunday evening, two of its four runways had reopened, allowing some airport operations to resume.
The aircraft was a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 freighter that had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 said the aircraft was traveling at about 112 knots, or 129 mph, when it exited the usable runway.
Cargo airline 21 Air operated the aircraft on behalf of Amazon, an Amazon spokesperson said.
“We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami today,” 21 Air said, extending condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died.
Images from the crash scene showed the aircraft’s nose on the ground with its tail raised. The right side of the aircraft also appeared to have scorch marks.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash. The agency said it sent a team led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy to Miami and planned to hold its first media briefing on Monday.
Amazon said it was gathering information about the incident and working with local authorities.
“Our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said.
Boeing and 21 Air said they would support government investigations into the accident.
The crash is not the first fatal accident involving an Amazon Prime Air-operated cargo aircraft. In February 2019, Atlas Air Flight 3591, a Boeing 767-300 freighter operating for Amazon Prime Air on a route from Miami to Houston, entered a rapid descent and crashed into Trinity Bay in Texas. All three people aboard were killed.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s flight data, runway conditions, weather, crew actions and other factors as they work to determine what caused Sunday’s crash.
