by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
MIAMI, USA (Worthy News) – At least five people died when an Amazon Prime Air cargo flight overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, local officials said.
Prime Air Flight 7598 overran the airport’s diagonal runway shortly before 2 p.m. local time, striking several vehicles on the ground, officials said during a news conference Sunday afternoon.
Five people were also injured in the crash, including three who are in critical condition, said Miami-Dade Fire Chief Ray Jadallah.
At least two people were trapped in vehicles struck by the plane, while the pilot and co-pilot were trapped inside the aircraft following the crash, Jadallah stressed.
DIFFICULT RESCUE
The Boeing 767-300 freighter, operated by cargo airline 21 Air for U.S. technology and delivery giant Amazon, had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
That aircraft crossed a road near the airport before coming to a halt in a grassy area, according to authorities.
Emergency crews faced a difficult rescue operation as fire and thick black smoke surrounded the aircraft and nearby vehicles.
More than 60 Miami-Dade fire and rescue units responded to the crash, with about 200 emergency personnel involved in the operation.
AIRPORT DISRUPTED
Authorities had not immediately clarified whether those killed had been aboard the aircraft or in vehicles on the ground.
Images from the scene showed the Boeing largely intact, surrounded by damaged vehicles, as firefighters worked around the aircraft.
The accident initially forced Miami International Airport to close its runways and taxiways, disrupting arriving and departing flights.
Two of the airport’s four runways later reopened as operations gradually resumed, while airport officials urged passengers to check their flight status directly with their airlines before traveling to the airport.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched investigations into why the aircraft overran the runway.
The Boeing 767 carried cargo for Amazon Air but was operated by 21 Air, a U.S. cargo airline that operates freight aircraft for customers.
Amazon expressed sorrow over the deaths and said it would cooperate with investigators. Boeing similarly offered condolences following the accident.
Investigators had not established what caused the aircraft to leave the runway.
PREVIOUS AMAZON CRASH
The accident comes seven years after another Boeing 767 operating an Amazon Prime Air cargo flight crashed in Texas in February 2019, killing all three people aboard.
That aircraft, Atlas Air Flight 3591, plunged into Trinity Bay near Houston while approaching George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
U.S. investigators later concluded that inappropriate actions by the first officer following a loss of spatial awareness led to that crash.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
