A tragic accident occurred at Miami International Airport when an Amazon Air cargo plane overshot the runway during its landing, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and seriously injuring five others. The Boeing 767-300 had taken off from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and crashed shortly before 2:00 PM local time.
Incident Details
The aircraft, operated by 21 Air, a charter company based in North Carolina, collided with several ground vehicles upon impact. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all flights as emergency services rushed to the scene. The crash happened over the Labor Day weekend, a peak travel period, adding to the chaos at the airport.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed the fatalities and injuries at a news conference. She praised the swift response of rescue teams, who arrived within moments of the crash. Of the five injured, three remain in critical condition and were taken to the hospital with unspecified injuries.
Response and Investigation
Fire Chief Raied Jadallah noted that some of the injured were trapped inside or underneath vehicles, requiring extrication by rescue teams. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, with a press briefing scheduled for Monday.
Amazon released a statement expressing their condolences and commitment to cooperating with authorities. “We’re heartbroken by the loss of life in this tragic incident,” said Kelly Nantel, Amazon’s Director of Corporate Global Media Relations. “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected.”
Airport and Passenger Impact
The crash site, located near a parking lot servicing an Amazon warehouse, continued to pose risks with a fuel leak, despite the fire being extinguished by over 200 firefighters. The incident caused significant disruptions at Miami International Airport, with many flights cancelled or delayed. Passengers expressed frustration over the lack of information and faced long lines as they attempted to rebook flights.
Miami International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the U.S., especially during the Labor Day weekend, with millions of travelers passing through. The Transportation Safety Administration anticipated 2.3 million flyers on Sunday alone.
