Five people died when an Amazon Prime Air cargo jet overshot the runway at Miami International Airport and crashed Sunday afternoon, striking several vehicles. The aircraft, a Boeing 767 freighter operated by 21Air, had departed Puerto Rico shortly before the incident.

Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue crews arrived at the scene within 30 seconds of the dispatch call. Audio recordings captured firefighters shouting, "The plane is on fire!" and "The plane is on fire. Put your game face on guys."

Video footage showed the jet skidding down the runway, with flames erupting from its right engine before it came to a stop. Firefighters were seen climbing into the cockpit, where the pilot and co-pilot were trapped, according to Miami-Dade Fire Chief Ray Jadallah. At least two people were in vehicles struck by the plane.

Of the five fatalities, three were in critical condition. The victims have not yet been identified.

The 32-year-old aircraft, converted into a freighter in 2015, was traveling at 129 mph when it overshot Runway 30, which is 9,000 feet long. Thick plumes of black smoke filled the sky as crews worked to extinguish the flames using foam and deal with a fuel leak. The jet's left engine was still running, creating a hazardous environment for rescuers due to the risk of toxic gases or explosion. Pilots could not shut down the engine because the aircraft needed power for systems like communication or to unlock doors.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. It has emerged that the runways at Miami International Airport are not equipped with an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), a safety feature recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration. EMAS uses crushable concrete to help stop aircraft that overshoot runways. While not mandatory, it is installed at several other Florida airports, including Key West, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Fort Lauderdale.

The incident caused significant disruption at the airport, with over 160 flights canceled and approximately 325 delayed, impacting travelers preparing for the Labor Day weekend.

Residents near the airport reported smelling an unfamiliar, acrid odor following the crash. This incident occurred 29 years after another fatal crash at Miami airport, when Fine Air Flight 101 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing five people.