5 killed as Amazon cargo plane crashes at Miami airport

5 killed as Amazon cargo plane crashes at Miami airport At least five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, striking several vehicles and catching fire, local officials said. The Boeing 767-300, operated by cargo carrier 21 Air, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it left the runway around 2 p.m. local time and collided with vehicles on the ground. Miami-Dade Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said three of the injured were in critical condition, while the other two sustained less severe injuries. Officials did not immediately release the identities of those killed. The pilot and co-pilot were trapped in the cockpit following the crash, while at least two individuals were trapped inside vehicles struck by the aircraft. More than 200 emergency personnel responded to the scene, with crews still managing an active fuel leak from the aircraft late Sunday afternoon. The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy to investigate the crash, with Boeing and 21 Air pledging their support. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated the company was working closely with local authorities to understand what happened. “Our absolute priority is the safety, well-being and care of everyone involved,” she said. The plane, a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 freighter, had previously operated as a passenger jet for various airlines from 1994 to 2015, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24. It departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was traveling at approximately 112 knots (129 mph) when it exited the usable runway. Emergency crews dealt with thick smoke and a fire that broke out after the crash. Reuters photos showed the aircraft resting on its belly beside a roadway, with scorch marks visible on its right side. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident and said it would investigate the cause. The airport temporarily halted all flights following the crash, though two of its four runways had reopened by Sunday evening. This incident is not the first time an Amazon Prime Air plane has been involved in a fatal crash. In February 2019, Atlas Air Flight 3591, a Boeing 767-300 operating on behalf of Amazon Prime Air from Miami to Houston, entered a rapid descent and crashed into Trinity Bay in Texas. All three people on board were killed. Firefighters used foam to extinguish a fire in the engine compartment and specialized teams extricated a person trapped under one of the involved vehicles. Hazardous materials units safely shut down the aircraft’s engine and controlled the fuel leak. Authorities did not confirm whether the pilot or co-pilot survived. A complex extrication operation was required to free the trapped individuals. The NTSB announced it had launched an investigation into the runway excursion accident. Amazon reiterated its commitment to cooperating with any inquiry into the incident. Multiple sources described the crash as occurring shortly before 2 p.m. EDT, with conflicting accounts of the exact speed and conditions leading to the overrun. Some reports noted the aircraft was traveling at 207 km/h when it left the runway, while others cited 112 knots. The crash site was located near the airport’s diagonal runway, with images showing the plane partially damaged and surrounded by emergency equipment. Local residents and workers expressed shock at the scale of the disaster, with some describing the aftermath as chaotic. The Miami-Dade Aviation Department confirmed the incident, stating that Amazon and local authorities were collaborating to gather information. The company declined to provide further details until the investigation concludes. As of late Sunday afternoon, efforts continued to stabilize the situation, with emergency services remaining on-site to monitor the ongoing recovery process.