At least five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon Air cargo aircraft overran a runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday and struck several vehicles on the ground, authorities said. Three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
The accident involving Prime Air Flight 7598 occurred at around 2 p.m. local time on September 6. The Boeing 767-300 freighter, operated by cargo carrier 21 Air on behalf of Amazon, had arrived from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft overran the runway after landing and said it would investigate the incident.
Plane Hits Vehicles After Runway Overrun
After leaving the runway, the aircraft struck multiple vehicles near the airport before coming to a stop. The collision triggered a major fire, sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed more than 60 units and about 200 emergency personnel to the scene. Firefighters used specialised equipment and foam to battle the blaze and rescue people trapped in vehicles and inside the aircraft. The pilot and co-pilot were also trapped in the cockpit following the crash.
Officials said a fuel leak remained a concern for several hours after the accident. Authorities had not initially determined how many of those killed were aboard the aircraft and how many were on the ground.
Five Killed, Three Injured Critically
Miami-Dade County officials said five people died and five others were injured. Three of those injured were in critical condition, while two others were hospitalised with less serious injuries.
The identities of the victims had not been publicly released at the time of the initial reports. Investigators were also working to establish the circumstances that led to the aircraft leaving the runway.
The NTSB has joined the investigation, while the FAA is conducting its own inquiry. The cause of the crash has not been established.
Aircraft Was 32 Years Old
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 767-300 freighter that was about 32 years old, according to flight-tracking information cited in reports. It had previously operated as a passenger aircraft before being converted for cargo operations.
Flightradar24 data indicated that the aircraft was travelling at about 112 knots, or roughly 207–208 kmph, when it left the usable portion of the runway. However, that figure does not by itself establish why the aircraft failed to stop, and investigators have yet to determine the cause.
Amazon confirmed that the aircraft was operated by 21 Air and said it was working with authorities to understand what happened. The company said its priority was the safety and care of those affected by the accident.
Miami Airport Operations Disrupted
The crash caused significant disruption at Miami International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States. Authorities temporarily stopped airport operations while emergency crews responded to the incident.
More than 160 flights were reported cancelled and around 325 delayed on Sunday, according to reports. Some runways were reopened later in the evening, although the damaged aircraft continued to affect operations. The FAA also issued an airport-related advisory warning of delays following the accident.
Investigation Underway
Investigators now face several questions, including why the Boeing 767-300 was unable to stop within the runway area and what factors may have contributed to the runway overrun.
Early reports have cited flight-tracking data and air-traffic-control information, but none of these details establishes the cause of the accident. The FAA and NTSB are expected to examine the aircraft, flight data, weather conditions, runway operations and other relevant evidence.
The crash comes as the latest serious accident involving an aircraft operating for Amazon's Prime Air network. Authorities have not yet announced a definitive explanation for Sunday's incident.
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