MIAMI — Five people were killed after an Amazon-branded cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport and struck two vehicles Sunday afternoon, federal investigators said on Monday.
The Boeing 767 was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it went beyond the end of Runway 30 shortly before 2 p.m. The aircraft continued roughly 1,300 feet beyond the paved surface, hitting airport equipment, a van carrying an airline cleaning crew and an SUV traveling on a road outside the airport.
All five people who died were in the vehicles struck by the plane, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said Monday. Five other people were injured, including three who were reported in critical condition.
Seven people were inside a white Ford Econoline van owned by Professional Ocean Service Corporation, which provides cleaning services for airlines, when the aircraft struck it on airport property. The plane then went through a perimeter fence and collided with a Toyota Corolla Cross traveling on Northwest 67th Avenue.
Homendy described extensive wreckage along the path of the aircraft, including pieces of the vehicles, airport equipment and fencing.
The two pilots aboard the cargo plane survived. Investigators had not yet interviewed them as of Monday.
The aircraft was operated by 21 Air under contract with Amazon’s Prime Air network. It was on its third flight of the day after previously flying from Cincinnati to Miami and then from Miami to San Juan before beginning the return trip to South Florida.
Investigation focuses on landing
Investigators are now working to determine why the aircraft was unable to stop before reaching the end of the runway.
Video of the landing appears to show the plane remaining above the runway well beyond the typical touchdown area before eventually reaching the pavement.
The NTSB has recovered both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s speed, braking performance, mechanical condition and the actions of the flight crew, along with weather and wind conditions at the time of the crash.
No official cause has been determined.
The investigation is also expected to examine safety measures at the end of the runway. Miami International Airport does not have an engineered materials arresting system, or EMAS, which uses crushable material to help stop aircraft that overrun a runway. The airport has a 1,000-foot safety area and appears to meet federal requirements.
Crash disrupts Miami air travel
The crash sent thick black smoke into the air near one of the country’s busiest airports and prompted a large emergency response.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews worked to extinguish the fire and reach people trapped in the wreckage. Recovery efforts continued Monday as investigators dealt with debris and fuel around the crash site.
The accident also caused significant disruptions for travelers. Hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled Sunday, and two of Miami International Airport’s four runways remained closed Monday as investigators continued working at the scene.
Amazon said it was cooperating with authorities investigating the crash and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
The NTSB’s investigation is continuing, with investigators expected to remain at the crash site for several days as they collect evidence and reconstruct the aircraft’s final moments.
