Amazon Cargo Plane Overshoots Miami Runway, At Least Five Dead

At least five people have died and five others were injured after an Amazon cargo plane overshot a runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, striking several vehicles and catching fire.

The aircraft, Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598, was a Boeing 767-300 freighter operated by 21 Air on behalf of Amazon. It had arrived in Miami from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it ran beyond the end of the runway at around 2 p.m. local time.

Plane Crashes Into Vehicles

After leaving the runway, the aircraft crossed a nearby road and collided with multiple vehicles before coming to a stop beside the airport. A large fire broke out, sending thick smoke into the air and prompting a major emergency response.

More than 60 emergency units and around 200 personnel were deployed to the scene. Firefighters worked to control the blaze and contain a fuel leak while rescuers attempted to reach people trapped inside the aircraft and vehicles.

Authorities said five people died in the accident. Five others were injured, including three who were critically hurt and taken to trauma centres. Officials have not yet released the identities of those killed, and it remained unclear whether all of the fatalities occurred aboard the aircraft or among people on the ground.

Airport Operations Disrupted

The crash temporarily brought operations at one of the United States' busiest airports to a halt. Miami International Airport closed its runways and taxiways while emergency crews dealt with the wreckage and fire.

The disruption caused more than 160 flight cancellations and roughly 325 delays, with some flights diverted to other airports, including Orlando. Some airport operations resumed later Sunday, but travelers were warned to expect continuing disruption.

Weather Conditions Under Investigation

The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with the Federal Aviation Administration also involved. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft's approach and landing, runway conditions and the weather at the time of the accident.

Thunderstorms and wind gusts of up to around 48 kilometres per hour were reported in the area around the time of the crash. Investigators are examining whether those conditions may have contributed, although no cause has been established.

Pilot and Crew Were Among Those Rescued

The pilots were trapped inside the aircraft following the crash and required rescue crews to reach them. Emergency workers also had to assist people trapped in vehicles struck by the plane.

The complicated rescue operation continued as firefighters dealt with intense flames, damaged parts of the aircraft and leaking fuel around the crash site.

Amazon confirmed that an Amazon Air aircraft operated by 21 Air had been involved in the incident and expressed its condolences to those affected. The company said it was cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.

Investigation Could Take Months

The Boeing 767 involved in the accident was an older aircraft that had originally been built for passenger service before being converted into a freighter. Investigators will now examine the aircraft's maintenance history, flight data, mechanical systems and the circumstances surrounding its final approach.

The NTSB is expected to provide further information as investigators inspect the aircraft and reconstruct the moments leading up to the runway overrun.

For now, the Miami crash has raised fresh questions about runway safety, aircraft operations and the risks involved when large cargo planes encounter difficult landing conditions. The focus will remain on determining exactly what went wrong and preventing a similar tragedy in the future.

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