Deadly Runway Overrun at Miami International Airport
At least five people were killed and several others injured when an Amazon Air cargo plane overran the runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, striking multiple vehicles and catching fire, according to Miami-Dade County officials. The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air as Prime Air Flight 7598, came to rest beside a roadway near two semi-trucks, and heavy flames and smoke were reported by emergency responders.
Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said some people were trapped inside vehicles, and that the pilot and co-pilot were also trapped in the plane. Fire crews were still dealing with a fuel leak on the aircraft several hours after the crash, Jadallah said. More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene.
The Incident and Response
The aircraft overran the runway at approximately 2 p.m. local time after arriving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The flight landed on runway 30, which is more than 9,000 feet long, per FAA data. The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said in a post on X that units arrived to find an airplane that had caught on fire as a result of the crash.
Miami International Airport announced that all runways and taxiways were closed and a ground stop was in effect. An airport spokesperson identified the plane as a Prime Air flight. The Federal Aviation Administration said the closure was due to a disabled aircraft on a runway.
A review of air traffic control audio indicates that the pilots did not declare an emergency before landing. Inspection crews later reported no aircraft parts or debris on the runway, but the plane damaged navigational equipment when it left the pavement. The cause of the overrun was not immediately clear.
Death Toll and Injuries
Miami-Dade County officials said at a news conference that five people were killed, three were critically injured, and two others were hospitalized with less severe injuries. Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said there was no apparent threat to public safety, though the scene remained active.
Statements from Officials and Amazon
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement: "We can confirm that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport today. This is a fast-moving situation and we're still gathering details. We're working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened." She added: "Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. We're doing everything we can to support those affected."
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she was closely monitoring the situation and described the area as "still a very active scene."
Investigation and Background
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it is sending a team to Miami led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy to investigate. The Federal Aviation Administration will also investigate.
21 Air is a cargo carrier with an operations center in Miami that performs flights for companies like Amazon and DHL using Boeing 767 aircraft. The 32-year-old Boeing 767 was originally built for passengers and was converted to a cargo plane in 2015, according to flight-tracking site Flightradar24.
According to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions, about 250 flights were delayed at the airport late Sunday afternoon. Flightradar24 data showed no planes had departed or arrived at the airport since the crash.
Runway excursions — when airplanes go off the runway — are the number one incident involving airplanes worldwide, according to data from the International Air Transport Association. Miami International, like many airports, has a designated safety area that serves as a buffer in case such excursions occur.