An Amazon cargo plane, a Boeing 767 operated by 21 Air, overran the runway at Miami International Airport around 2 p.m. Sunday after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aircraft struck vehicles and burst into flames, killing at least five people and injuring others.
Miami‑Dade County officials reported that five people died, three were critically injured and two were hospitalized with less severe injuries. Miami‑Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said some victims were trapped inside vehicles and that the pilot and copilot were also trapped in the aircraft. Fire crews dealt with a fuel leak several hours after the crash.
More than 60 fire rescue units responded to the scene, finding the plane on fire and largely intact despite the blaze. The aircraft came to rest beside a roadway near two semi‑trucks, its belly resting on the ground.
The 32‑year‑old Boeing 767 had been converted to a cargo plane in 2015 after serving as a passenger aircraft for over two decades. About 250 flights were delayed at the airport late Sunday afternoon, according to FlightAware.
The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy to investigate the incident. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that the company’s priority is the safety and well‑being of everyone involved.
Investigators will examine the cause of the overrun and the subsequent fire, while authorities assess the impact on airport operations and flight schedules.
