MIAMI, Florida – At least five people were killed on Sunday after an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport (MIA) and subsequently burst into flames, striking several vehicles on the ground. The incident, involving a Boeing 767 operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, occurred around 2 p.m. local time after the aircraft arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Fatalities and Injuries Confirmed
Miami-Dade County officials confirmed the deaths, with an additional three people critically injured and two others hospitalized with less severe injuries. Authorities have not yet clarified whether the fatalities were occupants of the plane or individuals in the vehicles struck by the aircraft. Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah reported that the pilot and copilot were trapped in the cockpit, and several people were also trapped inside cars, with one individual pinned under a vehicle.
Emergency Response and Airport Impact
Emergency crews were on the scene for hours, battling the blaze and managing a significant fuel leak. The crash caused widespread disruption at the busy international airport, halting flights for much of the afternoon. By late Sunday, approximately 250 flights had been delayed, according to tracking data from FlightAware.
Aircraft Details and Investigation
The aircraft involved was identified as a 32-year-old Boeing 767. Originally designed for passenger service, it flew for various airlines for over two decades before being converted into a cargo plane in 2015. Amazon released a statement expressing profound sorrow: "We're heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today's incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss." The company affirmed its commitment to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation into the crash.
Eyewitness Accounts
Jackson Lee, who operates an electronics shop near the crash site, described hearing the impact and seeing smoke. He told reporters, "We hear planes taking off and landing every five minutes. I thought I'd got used to it. I never thought it could come this close to us."