Miami International Airport was not equipped with a critical safety system at the time of a fatal Amazon cargo plane crash that killed five people, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Boeing 767 cargo jet, operated by 21 Air, veered off a runway on Sunday, crashing into vehicles before catching fire. The FAA confirmed that the airport lacked an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS).
EMAS, which is installed at over 120 airports nationwide, utilizes beds of lightweight, crushable material at runway ends to safely halt aircraft that overshoot the tarmac. The FAA has recommended the system for years, crediting it with preventing numerous accidents and saving lives.
Despite its effectiveness, EMAS is not a mandatory requirement, and airports can implement other FAA-approved risk-reduction methods. The system is designed for planes weighing over 12,500 pounds and functions by creating significant drag on the aircraft's wheels, similar to driving into sand. The system has a proven track record, with officials stating it has saved all lives in every incident involving its use.
Six airports in Florida currently utilize EMAS. The system was recently credited with safely stopping a small plane that overran a runway at Boca Raton Airport, preventing it from reaching a nearby roadway.
The Amazon cargo plane was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, around 2 p.m. Sunday when it overran Runway 30. Flight tracking data indicated the jet was traveling at 129 mph as it exited the usable runway amid thunderstorms and gusting winds. The plane came to rest near a parking lot servicing an Amazon warehouse and other businesses.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported that the crash trapped the pilot and copilot in the cockpit, along with occupants of vehicles on the ground. Firefighters had to use a ladder to access the cockpit. Officials confirmed five fatalities, three critical injuries, and two other hospitalizations.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team, led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, to investigate the incident. Investigators will examine factors such as the plane's touchdown point, speed, braking, weather conditions, and the aircraft's mechanical and maintenance history. The 32-year-old Boeing 767 had previously been a passenger jet before its conversion to cargo use in 2015.
The crash caused significant disruptions at the airport, leading to the cancellation of over 160 flights and delays for nearly 325 others by Sunday evening. Some flights were diverted to Orlando International Airport.
Amazon stated it would cooperate with the investigation and expressed condolences to the families of those affected by the crash. A similar incident occurred last year when a UPS plane crashed at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport after an engine failure during takeoff, resulting in the deaths of three pilots and 12 people on the ground.