Federal investigators on Monday began their inquiry into the cause of an Amazon cargo jet crash at Miami International Airport, which killed at least five people and injured five others when it overran the runway, struck vehicles, and caught fire.
The aircraft, arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, veered off the runway around 2 p.m. Sunday, crossing a road adjacent to the airport. Officials confirmed five fatalities, three critical injuries, and two other hospitalizations.
It remained unclear if the pilots were among the deceased or if all the victims were in vehicles at the time of the impact. Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah stated that the crash trapped the pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit and some occupants in cars. Rescue crews also extricated an individual trapped under a vehicle.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy would hold a news conference Monday.
Experts suggest investigators will consider factors such as the plane's touchdown point. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo noted that landings typically occur within the first 3,000 feet of a runway, and if the plane crossed that threshold, it should have initiated a go-around.
Pilot and former Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo, reviewing online video of the incident, observed the plane appearing to float down the runway without flaring to bring the landing gear down. While it was not raining, dark storm clouds were present, and strong winds were reported. Schiavo indicated that a tailwind could have contributed to the plane overrunning the runway.
Miami International Airport is not equipped with arresting systems, which the FAA states have been installed at over 120 airports nationwide to safely stop aircraft that overshoot runways. These systems, often consisting of crushable materials at the runway's end, have been credited by the FAA with saving numerous lives in similar incidents.
The crash disrupted flights at the airport for much of the afternoon, drawing approximately 200 emergency personnel. The plane experienced significant flames and smoke emanating from its engine compartment, requiring firefighters to use specialized foam to extinguish the blaze. A fuel leak persisted hours later.
Images showed the Prime Air plane, operated by North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air, resting on its belly near two semitrucks, largely intact despite the fire. The aircraft, a 32-year-old Boeing 767, was originally a passenger jet and underwent conversion to a cargo plane in 2015.
Schiavo also indicated that the NTSB would scrutinize the aircraft's maintenance history, particularly given its past ownership, which included a Russian company.
The incident led to more than 160 flight cancellations and nearly 325 delays by Sunday evening, according to FlightAware. Some flights were diverted to Orlando International Airport.
Amazon stated its cooperation with the investigation and expressed condolences. "We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport," the company said in a statement. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss."
In a separate incident last year, a UPS cargo plane crashed after an engine failure during takeoff acceleration at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in the deaths of three pilots and 12 people on the ground, with 23 others injured.