Miami International Airport was not equipped with a critical safety system that could have prevented the fatal crash of an Amazon cargo plane, killing five people, federal aviation officials have stated.
The Boeing 767 cargo jet, operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, veered off a runway on Sunday, striking vehicles before erupting in flames. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the airport lacks an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), a safety feature installed at more than 120 airports nationwide.
EMAS utilizes beds of lightweight, crushable material at runway ends to safely halt aircraft that overshoot the tarmac. The FAA has long recommended the system, crediting it with saving at least 497 lives in similar incidents. While not mandatory, airports can use other FAA-approved methods to mitigate runway overrun risks.
The cargo plane, arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, overran the runway around 2 p.m. Sunday. The aircraft plowed across a road used by surrounding businesses and came to rest near a parking lot serving an Amazon warehouse. Five individuals died, three sustained critical injuries, and two others were hospitalized.
Video footage from the landing appears to show the Boeing 767 remaining airborne late into the runway. Data from Flightradar24 indicated the jet was traveling at 129 mph as it left the usable runway amid thunderstorms and gusting winds. Automated Dependent Surveillance broadcast data showed the plane touched down at approximately 167 knots (192 mph) and departed the runway at over 120 mph. Miami's Automated Surface Observation System reported tailwinds of 20 to 30 knots during the tumultuous conditions.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, are examining various factors, including the plane's speed, braking, weather conditions, and the aircraft's mechanical state. The NTSB will also scrutinize the plane's maintenance history, especially given its past foreign ownership.
Michael Meyers, manager of the FAA's Airport Engineering Division, explained that EMAS is designed to absorb the aircraft's weight, decelerating it at a steady pace without excessive stress on the landing gear. He noted that EMAS has a perfect record in saving all lives in every incident involving the system. Six airports in Florida already employ EMAS, a feature particularly beneficial in the busy airspace of South Florida.
The 32-year-old Boeing 767 was originally configured for passengers and operated for several airlines before its conversion to a cargo plane in 2015. The crash caused significant flight disruptions at Miami International Airport, leading to numerous cancellations and delays. Amazon has stated it will cooperate fully with the investigation.