An Amazon cargo plane veered off a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, resulting in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of at least five individuals as it collided with vehicles and caught fire, according to authorities. The aircraft exceeded the runway limits around 2 p.m. ET upon its arrival from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miami-Dade County officials confirmed that five individuals lost their lives, with three in critical condition and two others with less severe injuries, as stated during a news briefing.
Miami officials emphasized that it was premature to ascertain whether the deceased were occupants of the plane or individuals in the vehicles that were struck by the aircraft. The crash caused dense black smoke to rise into the sky, trapping the pilot, copilot, and some car occupants, as reported by Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah. Additionally, one person was found trapped beneath a vehicle.
The incident led to a suspension of flights at the bustling travel center for a significant duration. Firefighters remained engaged in addressing a fuel leak from the plane several hours post-accident. Over 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units swiftly responded to the scene, where the aircraft was engulfed in flames, necessitating efforts to extinguish the fire and tend to the injured.
The Prime Air plane came to a standstill near a road adjacent to two semi-trucks, based on visuals from the scene. Despite the fire, the aircraft seemed to be mostly intact, resting on its underside. The flight was operated by 21 Air, a cargo carrier headquartered in North Carolina. The Boeing 767, aged 32, was originally configured for passenger flights and had served various airlines for over two decades before being converted into a cargo transporter in 2015.
Approximately 250 flights encountered delays at the airport later that Sunday afternoon, according to FlightAware, a platform monitoring flight disruptions. The National Transportation Safety Board announced the dispatch of an investigative team to Miami, led by Chair Jennifer Homendy. Amazon expressed readiness to cooperate with any inquiries, extending condolences for the loss of five lives in the airport tragedy.
“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of five individuals in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” Amazon stated. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the affected families and loved ones during this distressing time.”
Jackson Lee, proprietor of an electronics store near the accident site, recounted witnessing smoke rising near the airport perimeter with his colleagues post-crash. Lee remarked on the frequent takeoffs and landings at the airport, expressing surprise at the proximity of the incident to their location.