Miami – On Sunday afternoon an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane skidded off a runway at Miami International Airport, colliding with several vehicles and igniting a fire that sent a dense black cloud of smoke into the sky. The incident forced the closure of all runways and taxiways, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.
Immediate response
More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units arrived quickly, finding the aircraft on its belly and largely intact despite the blaze. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames while assessing the scene for injuries. At the time of reporting, officials had not released details on any casualties.
Cause and investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the plane, which had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, overran the runway at approximately 2 p.m. after landing. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that FAA investigators were being dispatched to the site and that a full ground stop had been issued for the airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated it was “gathering information” about the crash and will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the factors that led to the overrun.
Impact on travelers
All runways and taxiways were closed following the accident, prompting the airport to delay about 250 flights by late afternoon, according to FlightAware. The FAA warned that delays were likely to continue even after the airport reopened, with arrivals and departures expected to resume at a reduced rate.
Airlines and passengers were advised to monitor their flight status and to follow instructions from airline staff and airport personnel. The airport’s spokesperson emphasized that safety remained the top priority as crews worked to clear the runway and restore normal operations.
Amazon’s response
Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company’s Prime Air division, which operates the cargo aircraft, has not released a statement regarding the incident.
What’s next
Authorities will continue to investigate the cause of the overrun, including possible mechanical issues, runway conditions, or pilot actions. Travelers affected by the delays are encouraged to stay in touch with their airlines for updates on rebooking or refunds.
The incident underscores the importance of robust safety protocols at one of the nation’s busiest airports and highlights the coordinated effort of local emergency services, federal regulators, and transportation officials in responding to aviation emergencies.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
