At least five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday. The aircraft struck several vehicles on the ground before bursting into flames, triggering a major emergency response and widespread disruption to air travel.
Boeing 767 Crashes During Landing
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Prime Air Flight 7598 overran a diagonal runway shortly before 2 p.m. local time after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Boeing 767-300 continued beyond the runway and eventually came to rest near the northwestern end of the airport after hitting multiple vehicles. Three of the five people injured in the crash were reported to be in critical condition, while the other two were listed as stable.
The crash prompted an immediate emergency response as flames engulfed parts of the aircraft. Thick smoke could be seen rising from the blue-and-white cargo jet as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
More Than 60 Fire Rescue Units Respond
More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the scene following the crash. Emergency crews battled the fire while simultaneously assessing those affected and providing medical assistance.
Images from the scene showed the aircraft resting on its belly, with its nose close to the ground and its tail elevated. Scorch marks were visible along part of the fuselage. The crash also resulted in a fuel leak, which emergency personnel continued to address several hours after the incident.
The full extent of the damage to the aircraft and vehicles involved was still being assessed as emergency operations continued.
Aircraft Operated for Amazon by 21 Air
The aircraft was operated by North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air on behalf of Amazon. It had departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan before making its way to Miami.
According to flight-tracking data cited by The Associated Press, the 32-year-old Boeing 767 was originally built as a passenger aircraft. It was later converted into a freighter in 2015, allowing it to be used for cargo operations.
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Hundreds of Flights Disrupted
The crash had a significant impact on operations at Miami International Airport. Authorities temporarily closed all runways and taxiways and imposed a ground stop on flights following the incident.
According to FlightAware, around 250 flights were delayed, while dozens were cancelled. Airport officials warned travellers to expect substantial disruption as emergency crews worked at the crash site and authorities dealt with the aftermath.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also warned passengers to prepare for “significant delays and potential cancellations.”
The disruption was expected to affect both departing and arriving passengers as airport operations gradually resumed.
Investigation Underway
Amazon said it was working with local authorities to determine what happened. The company said the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved remained its “absolute priority.”
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the situation was developing rapidly and that the company was still gathering information about the incident.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the crash, while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun collecting information and evidence at the scene.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, runway conditions, flight data and other evidence to determine what led to the plane leaving the runway during landing.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and authorities had not indicated whether mechanical problems, weather conditions, human factors or other circumstances played a role.
