Five people died and three sustained critical injuries when an Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The Boeing 767 overran the runway after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, striking several vehicles and igniting a fire.
Dispatch audio revealed the immediate response from emergency crews, with one responder stating, "This aircraft overran the runway and crossed 67th Avenue. It struck a truck." Another conveyed the triage efforts: "Be advised, we have three patients, it appears to be two black, we have two black and one red," referring to color codes for deceased and critically injured individuals, respectively.
The cargo plane, traveling at approximately 129 mph as it exited the usable runway amid thunderstorms and gusting winds, crashed near a road used by businesses surrounding the airport. Some 200 emergency personnel responded to the scene. Officials confirmed that in addition to the fatalities and critical injuries, two other individuals were hospitalized with less severe injuries.
First responders described the scene as dire, with one audio clip capturing, "Guys, the plane's on fire, the plane's on fire, put your game faces on." Fire crews faced challenges, including running out of water and needing to perform extrication for a person trapped under a vehicle. The blaze, originating from a complex engine compartment fire, required specialized foam from airport firefighting units to extinguish.
Investigators will examine the sequence of events, including the plane's landing speed, braking, weather conditions, and the aircraft's mechanical status. Data from Flightradar24 indicated the plane touched down at around 167 knots and exited the runway at over 120 mph, while Miami's Automated Surface Observation System reported tailwinds of 20 to 30 knots.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that Miami International Airport is not equipped with the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), a safety feature designed to help stop overrunning aircraft. The FAA has recommended the system for airports nationwide, citing its effectiveness in preventing accidents.