One of the pilots aboard the Amazon Air cargo plane that crashed in Miami on September 6 urgently warned that the aircraft was traveling too fast for a safe landing, according to a transcript of cockpit audio released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The recording revealed a frantic state in the moments leading up to the disaster.
The pilot called for a "go around," an attempt to abort the landing, as the aircraft began its descent. Data indicated that the plane's brakes were released and throttles engaged just 15 seconds before the crash. The pilot's caution regarding the excessive speed came too late, as the aircraft overran the runway five seconds later.
The Boeing 767 cargo plane crashed through a fence and into a van operated by an airline cleaning company, resulting in the deaths of all five workers inside. The victims were identified as Rolando Aleman, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Julio C Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
While the NTSB has not released the full audio, officials stated that the pilot made additional comments about the aircraft's excessive speed throughout the remainder of the recording before the crash. Electronic systems on board also began issuing warnings approximately one minute before the incident.
The NTSB indicated that evidence suggests the pilots recognized the botched landing sequence but waited too long to execute a go-around. Chihoon Shin, the lead investigator, reported that the plane's nose landing gear touched down at 182 mph. The pilots did not apply the brakes for another seven seconds, and the left-side main landing gear did not contact the runway for an additional four seconds.
Former FAA investigator Michael O'Donnell described the touchdown sequence to The New York Times as "really bad," noting that the nose should not hit first, indicating an unstable approach and a need for an earlier go-around. At 15 seconds before the recording ceased, the plane was traveling at 138 mph when the throttles increased to go-around thrust. Shin stated that the brakes were not reapplied until 11 seconds before the crash, and it is alleged that the speed brakes or thrust reversers, which could have aided in slowing the aircraft, were never deployed.
Investigators are working to determine the plane's proximity to the end of the runway during these critical moments. Aviation expert Steven Arroyo suggested that the audio timeline points to indecision or confusion in the cockpit regarding aborting the landing at the last moment. He commented that pilots must either land or go around, not attempt a complex maneuver that involves re-engaging a landing sequence.
The pilots on board, Jaime Felipe Silva Molina and Joseph Carroll, survived the crash with minor injuries and have been interviewed by the NTSB. The investigation into the full sequence of events leading to the tragedy is ongoing. The Amazon Air plane was en route from New York to Los Angeles when the incident occurred.