Recent reports reveal that prior to the tragic crash of an Amazon cargo plane in Miami, Florida, a pilot onboard had raised concerns regarding the aircraft’s speed. This incident occurred on Sunday when the plane failed to stop and overshot the runway, subsequently colliding with vehicles on the ground and erupting in flames.
The latest findings from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicate that one of the pilots repeatedly alerted the other about the “excessive speed” of the Boeing 767-300. However, despite these warnings, there was no consistent acknowledgment from the other pilot, even as alarms signaling altitude issues were triggered.
Crash Investigation Insights
The aircraft was traveling at 158 knots (approximately 292 km/h) upon landing, a speed deemed significantly high by aviation experts. The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing, focusing on the factors leading to the crash, which resulted in five fatalities and additional injuries.
The data released by the NTSB encompassed critical information such as the plane’s speed, altitude, and flap deployment as it approached the runway. Furthermore, it included a summary of communications between the pilots, indicating that warnings regarding the aircraft’s speed persisted throughout the duration of the recording.
Warnings and Flap Deployment Concerns
During the final moments of the flight, an automated electronic alert for “sink rate” was issued, warning of a rapid descent, alongside another alert for “too low terrain,” indicating the aircraft was dangerously close to the ground without being adequately prepared for landing.
Aviation attorney Pablo Rojas commented on the situation, emphasizing the challenges of interpreting the NTSB’s references to the pilots’ inconsistent verbal responses without access to the actual cockpit recordings. He suggested that the nature of the approach was likely compromised from the start, hinting at a “doomed approach.” Additionally, he pointed out that concerns regarding flap deployment could be significant, as these flaps are crucial for slowing the aircraft and facilitating a smoother landing.
Details of the Impact
Following the runway overshoot, Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598 collided with ground equipment, struck a white Ford van, and continued through a perimeter fence, ultimately crashing into a Toyota Corolla. The wreck came to a halt approximately 1,300 feet (about 394 meters) beyond the runway.
Authorities in Miami have identified the five individuals who lost their lives in the incident; they were part of a plane-cleaning crew operating in the van. The victims were Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Julio C Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
