Investigation Underway After Amazon Cargo Plane Overruns Miami Runway

Officials are investigating the cause of an Amazon cargo plane that overshot the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, resulting in five fatalities and five serious injuries. The incident occurred around 14:00 local time (18:00 GMT) when the Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air, crashed after landing. The plane crossed a road beyond the runway and struck several vehicles. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released. 21 Air, a charter company based in North Carolina, expressed its devastation regarding the accident and stated that it is cooperating with the investigation. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed the fatalities and injuries during a news conference, noting that three of the injured were in critical condition. Fire Chief Raied Jadallah reported that some injured individuals were trapped in vehicles and required rescue efforts. Over 200 firefighters responded to the scene as the plane caught fire. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, and a news conference is scheduled for Monday. Experts indicated that video footage of the landing will be crucial in determining whether the aircraft landed within the designated area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily grounded all flights at the airport due to the incident, which occurred during the busy Labor Day weekend. Witnesses described the aftermath, with one woman noting a black cloud and an unusual odor. Flight data indicated that the cargo flight was traveling at 112 knots (129 mph) when it exited the usable runway. Kelly Nantel, Amazon's Director of Corporate Global Media Relations, expressed condolences to the victims' families and stated that the company is cooperating with authorities. The plane had previously departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The incident has caused significant disruptions at Miami International Airport, with many flights canceled or delayed, leading to long queues for travelers attempting to reschedule. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projected that 17 million travelers would pass through US airports in the week leading up to the Labor Day holiday, with 2.3 million expected to fly on Sunday alone.