An Amazon Air cargo plane overshot the runway while attempting to land at Miami International Airport on Sunday, killing five people and seriously injuring five others. The aircraft also struck several vehicles on the ground.
The Boeing 767-300, operated by charter company 21 Air and arriving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, overran the runway at approximately 2:00 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT). The plane came to rest near the northwest end of the airport, close to a parking lot serving an Amazon warehouse and other businesses.
"At least five people have lost their lives, and five others are injured," Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a news conference on Sunday evening. She added that rescue crews arrived at the scene within "seconds" of the crash.
Three of the five injured are in critical condition. Two others were hospitalised with less severe injuries. Several of those hurt were trapped inside or under vehicles on the ground and had to be extricated by fire and rescue crews, said Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah. The pilot and co-pilot were also reported trapped inside the aircraft.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said crews "arrived to find an airplane that had caught on fire as a result of this crash, with heavy flames and smoke showing." More than 60 fire rescue units responded to extinguish the blaze. Fire crews were still dealing with a fuel leak on the plane several hours after the incident.
It is not yet clear how many crew members or passengers were on board the aircraft.
The 32-year-old plane had operated as a passenger aircraft for more than two decades before being converted to a cargo carrier in 2015, according to flight-tracking data.
Flight data shows the aircraft was travelling at 112 knots (129 mph, 207 km/h) as it exited the usable runway. There were light thunderstorms and gusting winds in Miami at the time of the incident.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the plane was operated by 21 Air and experienced "an incident" while attempting to land. "We're working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened," spokesperson Kelly Nantel said. "Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, wellbeing, and care of everyone involved. We're doing everything we can to support those affected."
Miami Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said there was "no apparent threat to public safety" following the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a full ground stop at Miami International Airport following the incident. US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged travellers to anticipate "significant delays."
The cause of the crash remains unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates all major transportation accidents in the United States, confirmed it was aware of the incident and planned to hold a news conference on Monday.
The crash occurred over Labor Day weekend, one of the busiest travel periods of the year in the United States. The Transportation Security Administration had projected that 17 million travellers would pass through US airports in the week leading up to the Monday holiday, with an estimated 2.3 million flying on Sunday alone.
Passengers at Miami International Airport reported frustration over a lack of information from officials, with many flights cancelled or delayed. Long lines formed at airline counters as travellers attempted to reschedule plans, with some saying they would be forced to remain in Miami an extra night.
