An Amazon Air cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport after overshooting the runway, resulting in five fatalities and five serious injuries. The Boeing 767-300 aircraft was attempting to land at approximately 14:00 local time (19:00 GMT) after departing from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The crash also involved several vehicles on the ground.
Amazon stated that it is collaborating with local authorities to investigate the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all flights as emergency crews responded to the crash site. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed the casualties during a news conference, stating that rescue crews arrived within seconds of the incident.
Three of the injured individuals are reported to be in critical condition, with all taken to a hospital for treatment. Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah noted that some victims were trapped in vehicles and required extrication by rescue teams.
The cause of the crash is currently unknown and will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, which plans to hold a news conference on Monday. The Amazon flight was operated by 21 Air, a charter company based in North Carolina. The aircraft overran the diagonal runway and came to a stop at the northwest end of the airport.
Miami Dade Fire Rescue reported that the plane caught fire upon impact, prompting a response from over 200 firefighters. Although the flames have been extinguished, a fuel leak remains at the site.
In a statement, Amazon expressed condolences for the victims. Kelly Nantel, Amazon's Director of Corporate Global Media Relations, stated, "We're heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today's incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss."
Flight data indicated that the cargo flight was traveling at 112 knots (129 mph, 207 km/h) when it exited the usable runway. Weather conditions at the time included light thunderstorms and gusting winds.
The crash occurred during a busy travel weekend in the US, leading to numerous flight cancellations and delays at Miami International Airport. Passengers reported frustration over the lack of information from officials, with many facing long lines as they attempted to reschedule their travel plans. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projected that 17 million travelers would pass through US airports in the week leading up to Labor Day, with 2.3 million expected to fly on Sunday alone.