Five individuals lost their lives as an Amazon cargo plane veered off a runway at Miami International Airport, according to the Chairperson of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The victims were passengers in a van carrying seven members of a cleaning company that was struck by an SUV outside the airport premises. The NTSB’s Jennifer Homendy described the crash site as “utter devastation,” with significant damage evident, including tire marks on the grass, a demolished van, and a damaged SUV.

Homendy mentioned that both the voice and data recorders from the aircraft have been recovered, aiding investigators in piecing together the events leading up to the tragedy. The NTSB plans to release more details on Tuesday, potentially shedding light on the plane’s speed before the incident. Authorities are currently assessing whether the aircraft landed too late to halt safely.

Additionally, video footage suggests that the Boeing 767 plane remained airborne for an extended period before landing, sparking questions about the landing procedure. The Miami airport lacks engineered material arresting systems (EMAS) present at many other airports in the U.S., which are designed to prevent planes from overshooting runways. Homendy emphasized that the need for EMAS at all airports will be a focal point of the investigation.

The aircraft, operated by 21 Air, had a history of passenger service before being converted into a cargo plane. The crash disrupted airport operations, with two runways remaining closed the next day. Both Miami International Airport and Amazon expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged cooperation with the investigation.