An Amazon cargo plane skidded off the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, resulting in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of at least five individuals. The plane collided with vehicles and caught fire upon impact, according to authorities.
The aircraft overshot the runway at approximately 2 p.m. ET following its arrival from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miami-Dade County officials confirmed five fatalities, along with three individuals in critical condition and two others receiving treatment for less severe injuries.
Authorities stated that it was too early to ascertain whether the deceased individuals were on the plane or in the vehicles struck by the aircraft. The crash led to thick black smoke rising into the air, causing the pilot, copilot, and some vehicle occupants to be trapped. Emergency responders also reported one person trapped beneath a vehicle.
The incident prompted a temporary halt to flights at the airport, with fire crews addressing a fuel leak on the plane for several hours post-accident. Over 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units were deployed to the scene, where they found the aircraft ablaze and worked swiftly to extinguish the flames and attend to the injured.
The Prime Air plane, operated by 21 Air, a North Carolina-based cargo carrier, came to a stop near a roadway adjacent to two semi-trucks. Despite the fire, the aircraft appeared largely intact, resting on its belly.
Flight disruptions ensued, with about 250 flights delayed at the airport later that Sunday, as reported by FlightAware. The National Transportation Safety Board announced the dispatch of an investigative team led by Chair Jennifer Homendy to the crash site in Miami.
Amazon expressed its cooperation with the investigation in a statement, expressing sorrow over the loss of life. The company extended heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones impacted by the tragic incident.
Witnesses near the crash site, including Jackson Lee, who operates an electronics store, described the surreal experience of witnessing the aftermath of the accident. Lee and his colleagues observed smoke rising near the airport perimeter, emphasizing the unexpected proximity of the disaster to their daily surroundings.