At least five people have been killed and five others injured after an Amazon cargo aircraft overran a runway at Miami International Airport in the United States on Sunday, hitting several vehicles and bursting into flames.
The crash occurred at about 2 p.m. as the Boeing 767-300 cargo plane was landing after a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah said five people died in the incident, while three of the five injured victims were critically hurt and taken to a trauma centre.
The other two were transported to a local hospital.
Some of those affected were inside vehicles struck by the aircraft and had to be rescued by emergency responders, Jadallah said.
The aircraft was travelling at nearly 130 miles per hour when it left the usable section of the runway, according to flight-tracking data from Flightradar24. The reason the plane failed to stop remains unclear.
A review of air traffic control communications by CNN found that the pilots did not declare an emergency before landing.
More than 60 emergency units responded to the scene, where they encountered the aircraft engulfed in flames and producing heavy smoke.
“Guys, the plane’s on fire. Plane’s on fire. Put your game faces on,” a first responder said in dispatch audio obtained by Broadcastify.
The pilots were removed from the aircraft and taken for medical treatment. Their conditions were not immediately known.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said efforts were underway to confirm the identities of those killed. Authorities also established a dedicated telephone line to provide information to victims’ families.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the crash. F
AA investigators were already at the airport on Sunday evening, while NTSB investigators were expected to arrive.
“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement to CNN. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
“The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred,” the statement continues.
“We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”
21 Air, an all-cargo airline headquartered in North Carolina, operates aircraft for companies including Amazon and DHL.
The carrier has an operations centre in Miami and uses Boeing 767 aircraft.
Aviation analytics firm Cirium said 21 Air operates eight Boeing 767 aircraft for Amazon Air.
“We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami today. Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” Keith Winters, CEO of 21 Air, said in a statement released late Sunday.
“We are cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and local authorities. The circumstances of the accident are under investigation,” he added.
The 32-year-old Boeing aircraft landed on runway 30, which stretches more than 9,000 feet.
FAA data showed that while no aircraft debris was found on the runway, the plane damaged navigation equipment after leaving the paved surface.
A ground stop affecting flights bound for Miami International Airport was lifted at about 5 p.m.
However, the FAA warned that flights could continue experiencing delays into Monday because of the disabled aircraft on the runway.
The impact was also felt in nearby communities.
A Miami resident living about three miles from the airport told CNN affiliate WFOR that his home shook during the crash.
Jose Sanchez said he initially thought a truck had exploded. “But for the house to shake – it wasn’t normal,” he told WFOR.
Another resident described the scene as frightening, saying, “I looked and saw the tail and there was a lot of emergency vehicles headed in this direction. It’s crazy,” the resident told WSVN.
The incident also disrupted passengers travelling from Miami, with some rebooking flights from other airports because of anticipated delays.
The aircraft was among more than 250 Amazon Air flights operating daily to transport packages. Amazon Air has a fleet of more than 100 cargo planes, including Boeing 737s, Boeing 767s and Airbus A330s.
The International Air Transport Association identifies runway excursions, in which aircraft leave the runway, as the most common type of aviation incident worldwide.
