Miami: At least five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon cargo plane overshot a runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, striking several vehicles before bursting into flames, authorities said. Three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
Dramatic video footage from the scene showed the aircraft coming to a violent stop beyond the runway, with flames and thick black smoke rising from the wreckage. Emergency crews rushed to the crash site as firefighters battled the blaze and worked to rescue people trapped inside the aircraft and vehicles.
The aircraft was an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767-300 freighter operated by 21 Air, a North Carolina based cargo carrier. It had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and crashed at Miami International Airport at about 2 pm local time, according to officials and aviation authorities.
The jet reportedly ran beyond the runway, crossed a nearby roadway and hit multiple vehicles. More than 60 Miami Dade Fire Rescue units and over 200 emergency personnel were deployed to the scene. A fuel leak also complicated the emergency response.
The identities of those killed had not been publicly released in the initial reports. Authorities also had not immediately established whether all of the fatalities were people inside the aircraft or on the ground.
The crash brought operations at one of the United States busiest airports to a temporary halt. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a ground stop for roughly three hours, while hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed. Some flights were diverted to other airports as emergency operations continued.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA have launched investigations into the crash. Officials have not yet determined what caused the aircraft to overrun the runway. Weather conditions, including thunderstorms and gusty winds, were reported in the area, but investigators have not established whether they contributed to the accident.
Amazon said it was working with authorities and prioritising the safety and care of those affected. The company expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged full cooperation with investigators.
The investigation is expected to examine the aircraft’s final approach, landing conditions, crew actions, runway circumstances and other factors before determining the cause of the deadly crash.
ALSO READ: Krakatoa Volcano Erupts In Indonesia, Flights Suspended
