Cargo Plane Overruns Runway at Miami International Airport, Catches Fire

Incident Overview

A cargo plane erupted in flames after overrunning the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, September 6, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300 operated by Amazon Air (Prime Air), had departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and landed at Miami around 2pm local time. The FAA confirmed the plane overran the runway and stated that it would investigate the incident.

The aircraft came to rest at the north-west end of the airport, beside a roadway and near two semi-trucks, according to images on social media. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene and reported that the plane had caught fire as a result of the crash. In a post on X, the agency stated: "Units arrived to find an airplane that had caught on fire as a result of this crash, with heavy flames and smoke showing. Firefighters are working on extinguishing the fire and assessing patients."

Response and Impact

Following the incident, all runways and taxiways at Miami International Airport were closed, and a ground stop was in effect, according to an airport spokesperson. These measures have since been lifted, and operations have resumed. The FAA reported that the aircraft is disabled at the airport.

Inspection crews found no aircraft parts or debris on the runway, but the plane damaged navigational equipment when it departed the pavement. The FAA has not provided details on the extent of the damage or the timeline for repairs.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement to CNN: "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." The statement added that Amazon is "doing everything we can to support those affected."

Investigation and Unanswered Questions

The cause of the overrun is under investigation, and it is not clear why the plane was unable to stop before the end of the runway. According to a review of air traffic control audio by CNN, the pilots did not declare an emergency before landing. No further information on injuries has been provided, though no casualties have been reported.

The FAA's brief statement acknowledged the incident and confirmed the aircraft's origin and operator. The agency has not yet released a preliminary report or a timeline for further findings.