Miami (Rajeev Sharma): Investigators have begun examining the circumstances surrounding a deadly accident at Miami International Airport after an Amazon cargo aircraft ran beyond the runway shortly after landing, crossed a nearby road and struck vehicles on the ground.
Five people were killed and another five suffered serious injuries in the crash, which occurred shortly before 2 pm local time on Sunday. Authorities have yet to release the identities of those who died, and it remains unclear how many of the fatalities were aboard the aircraft and how many were on the ground.
The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300 operated by North Carolina-based charter carrier 21 Air, had arrived from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. Officials have cautioned that it is too early to determine what caused the aircraft to leave the runway. The federal agency is expected to provide further information at a news conference on Monday.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said emergency personnel reached the crash site within seconds. Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah said three of the five injured people were in critical condition.
Firefighters faced a particularly difficult rescue operation after some victims became trapped inside or beneath vehicles hit by the aircraft. More than 200 firefighters were deployed as the plane caught fire following the impact.
Investigators are expected to closely examine available video footage of the landing, including where the aircraft first touched down and what happened during the remaining portion of its runway roll.
Data from flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft was travelling at about 112 knots, or roughly 129 mph (207 km/h), when it passed beyond the usable portion of the runway. The service said the aircraft eventually came to a stop close to a parking area serving an Amazon warehouse and other businesses.
Weather conditions could also form part of the investigation. FlightRadar24 reported light thunderstorms and gusty winds in the Miami area around the time of the accident, although authorities have not indicated that weather was a factor.
Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted flights at Miami International Airport. The disruption came during the Labor Day holiday weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, resulting in cancellations, delays and long queues at airline counters.
Travellers at the airport described confusion and frustration as they attempted to rearrange their journeys. Some passengers said they had been unable to secure replacement flights until Tuesday.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had estimated that around 17 million passengers would pass through US airports during the period leading up to the Labor Day holiday, with approximately 2.3 million expected to travel by air on Sunday.
Amazon and 21 Air have both said they are assisting authorities with the investigation.
Amazon’s Director of Corporate Global Media Relations, Kelly Nantel, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said the company was working with local authorities to establish what happened.
21 Air CEO Keith Winters also offered condolences and said the company’s immediate focus was on supporting those affected, helping investigators and providing accurate information as it becomes available.
Residents and witnesses described a chaotic scene following the crash. Local reports said a large dark cloud could be seen above the area, while witnesses reported a strong burning smell. A student pilot who arrived nearby described seeing emergency vehicles and helicopters and said the vehicles struck by the aircraft were badly damaged.
Miami International Airport, located close to downtown Miami, is among the major aviation hubs in the United States. The airport handles significant international passenger and cargo traffic, making the accident particularly disruptive during an already busy holiday travel period.
For now, investigators are focusing on reconstructing the aircraft’s final approach, landing and movement beyond the runway. Officials have stressed that any conclusion about the cause will depend on evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation.
