Investigation Underway After Amazon Cargo Plane Overruns Miami Runway

Officials are investigating the cause of an Amazon cargo plane that overshot the runway after landing 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, crossed a road beyond the runway and collided with several vehicles. It remains unclear whether the deceased were on the aircraft or on the ground. Members of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are on-site and will provide updates to the media on Monday afternoon. 21 Air, a charter company based in North Carolina, expressed its devastation over the accident and stated that both it and Amazon are cooperating with the investigation. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed the casualties during a news conference on Sunday evening, noting that rescue crews arrived within seconds of the crash. Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah reported that three of the injured individuals are in critical condition, with some trapped in vehicles needing rescue. Over 200 firefighters responded to the scene as the plane caught fire. Experts indicated that video footage of the landing will be crucial in determining whether the aircraft landed within the designated area and what transpired afterward. 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 scene, with Grace Mercado stating she saw the aftermath and described the plane as engulfed in smoke. Flight data indicated the cargo flight was traveling at 112 knots (129 mph, 207 km/h) as it exited the usable runway. Kelly Nantel, Amazon's Director of Corporate Global Media Relations, expressed condolences for the loss of life, stating the company is working closely with local authorities. 21 Air's CEO Keith Winters also extended condolences and emphasized the company's commitment to supporting those affected and assisting authorities. The plane had previously departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The crash occurred during one of the busiest travel weekends in the US, leading to frustration among passengers at the airport due to flight cancellations and delays. 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 an estimated 2.3 million flying on Sunday alone. Miami International Airport (MIA) is one of the busiest airports in the country, known for its significant international freight and passenger traffic.