A fatal aviation accident at Miami International Airport has left five people dead and five others injured after an Amazon cargo aircraft overran the runway during landing and struck vehicles near the airport.
The Boeing 767-300 freighter was operating Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598 and was flown by 21 Air. According to authorities, the aircraft arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and went beyond the runway at approximately 2 p.m. local time on Sunday.
After leaving the runway, the aircraft crossed into an area near a roadway, where it collided with several vehicles. The impact triggered a fire, sending large amounts of smoke into the air and prompting a major emergency response.
Miami-Dade County officials confirmed that five people died in the incident. Another five people were injured and taken to hospitals. Three of those injured were reported to be in critical condition, while two others suffered less severe injuries.
Emergency crews faced a difficult rescue operation following the crash. People were trapped inside some of the vehicles struck by the aircraft, while the pilot and co-pilot were also trapped inside the damaged plane. Firefighters worked to control the blaze and deal with a fuel leak from the aircraft.
More than 60 emergency units were dispatched to the scene, with firefighters, rescue personnel and other first responders working to secure the area and assist those affected.
The accident caused major disruption at Miami International Airport. Airport operations were temporarily halted as emergency teams responded to the crash and authorities secured the surrounding area. Hundreds of flights were affected by delays and cancellations, adding to difficulties for passengers traveling through the busy Florida airport.
The aircraft eventually came to rest beside a roadway near the airport. Images from the scene showed significant damage to the plane, while emergency crews continued working around the wreckage.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of those who died or clarified publicly whether all of the fatalities occurred inside the aircraft or among people on the ground. Investigators are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding each death as the investigation progresses.
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that the aircraft overran the runway, while the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the accident. A team of investigators is being sent to Miami to examine the aircraft, runway and other evidence.
The precise cause of the crash remains unknown. Investigators are expected to examine flight data, aircraft systems, weather conditions, runway circumstances and the crew’s actions during the landing. Officials have urged people not to draw conclusions about the cause before the investigation is completed.
Weather conditions at the time of the accident are also expected to form part of the investigation. Reports indicated thunderstorms and strong wind conditions in the area, although authorities have not established that weather was responsible for the crash.
Amazon said it was deeply saddened by the deaths and expressed sympathy to the families and others affected by the incident. The company has also indicated that it is cooperating with officials as investigators work to determine what happened.
The crash has temporarily disrupted activity at one of the country’s major aviation hubs while authorities continue their response. Airport operations have since begun returning, although travelers have been warned to expect continued disruption.
The investigation will now focus on reconstructing the aircraft’s final approach and determining why the Boeing 767 was unable to remain within the runway area after landing. Further findings are expected as investigators collect evidence and speak with witnesses.
For the families of those who died, the investigation comes alongside the immediate aftermath of a devastating accident that has claimed five lives and left several others injured.