In brief
A Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft operated by Amazon Air crashed onto the diagonal runway at Miami International Airport, resulting in five fatalities and five serious injuries. The incident happened shortly after the flight departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the jet overran the runway, colliding with parked vehicles and catching fire. Rescue crews arrived within seconds, but the plane’s fuel was still leaking as it was extinguished. The FAA grounded all flights, and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause. Amazon has issued condolences and pledged cooperation with authorities.
When a Boeing 767‑300 cargo aircraft failed to stop on Miami International Airport’s diagonal runway, the result was a dark blaze and a fatal loss of life.
Crash Overview
According to airport officials, the Amazon Air flight departed for San Juan, Puerto Rico, before the jet overshot the runway and crashed into a vehicle‑parking lot. Five people were killed and five others sustained serious injuries, with three of the injured in critical condition.
Emergency Response
Fire and rescue crews rushed to the scene, extinguishing flames while dealing with a fuel leak. Miami‑Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava stated that crews arrived in “seconds” and the focus was on families and patients. Fire Chief Raied Jadallah reported that several wounded were trapped under vehicles and required extrication.
Regulatory Actions
The Federal Aviation Administration immediately grounded all flights while the National Transportation Safety Board opened an investigation. Amazon issued a statement expressing deep sorrow and pledge of full cooperation with investigators.
Flight Details
Flight data from FlightRadar24 revealed the cargo plane was traveling at 112 knots (129 mph) as it exited the usable runway. Light thunderstorms and gusty winds may have contributed to the event.
Impact on Travel
The crash occurred during a peak travel period, just before Labor Day, a weekend that historically sees 17 million travelers at U.S. airports.
Images
Photo by Getty Images showing the damaged cargo plane after the crash.
