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 authorities. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. ET after the aircraft had landed from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miami-Dade County officials confirmed that five people had died, with three in critical condition and two others sustaining less severe injuries.
Authorities in Miami stated that it was premature to ascertain whether the deceased individuals were on the plane or in the vehicles struck by the aircraft. The crash caused thick black smoke to rise into the air, trapping the pilot, copilot, and some occupants within cars, as per Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah. Additionally, one person was trapped beneath a vehicle.
The accident prompted a suspension of flights at the bustling travel hub for a significant portion of the afternoon. Fire crews continued to address a fuel leak from the plane several hours after the incident, according to Jadallah. Over 60 units from the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene, where the burning aircraft was located, and efforts were made to extinguish the flames and provide medical assistance.
The Prime Air plane, operated by 21 Air, a cargo carrier based in North Carolina, came to a stop near a roadway next to two semi-trucks. Despite the fire, the aircraft seemed to be intact, resting on its belly. The Boeing 767, which is 32 years old, was initially designed for passenger transport and had flown for various airlines for over two decades before being converted into a cargo plane in 2015, according to Flightradar24.
Approximately 250 flights were delayed at the airport later in the day, as reported by FlightAware, a platform monitoring flight disruptions. The National Transportation Safety Board announced that a team headed by Chair Jennifer Homendy would be dispatched to Miami for an investigation. Amazon expressed its willingness to collaborate with the investigation, offering condolences for the loss of life in the tragic incident.
“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of life in today’s Miami International Airport incident,” stated Amazon. “Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic event.” Local resident Jackson Lee, who operates an electronics store near the crash site, recounted witnessing the smoke rising near the airport’s fences alongside his colleagues following the crash. Lee expressed shock at the proximity of the incident to their location despite being accustomed to the regular air traffic movements in the area.