Miami – A Boeing 767‑300 cargo aircraft operated by 21 Air for Amazon Air overshot Runway 30 at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, breaching the runway’s end at roughly 130 mph and striking a fence, vehicles and a nearby road before coming to a fiery stop. The crash claimed at least five lives and injured five others, including several firefighters who responded.
What happened
According to Flightradar24 tracking data, the plane began its descent under dark clouds and a developing thunderstorm. As it approached, a sudden shift in wind gave the jet a tailwind, making it harder to slow down, said CNN safety analyst David Soucie, a former FAA safety inspector. The pilots did not report any problems to air traffic control before landing.
Video posted to social media shows the aircraft landing almost parallel to the ground rather than performing the standard “flare” maneuver. After the main gear touched down, the left rear gear continued to bounce, and the jet rode the runway far beyond the usual touchdown zone. It crossed a grassy area, a chain‑link fence with razor wire, and concrete barriers before striking a four‑lane road and several parked cars.
Response and casualties
Miami‑Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah said more than 60 fire‑rescue units and about 200 firefighters responded. A fire erupted around the right‑hand engine as the plane came to rest. Five people were confirmed dead and five injured, three of whom were taken to a trauma center in critical condition.
It remains unclear whether the fatalities were passengers, crew, or occupants of the vehicles struck by the jet.
Impact on airport operations
Two of the airport’s four runways are closed for most of Monday, with Runway 30 and Runway 26L remaining shut until 7 p.m. ET. As of 10 a.m., 65 flights were canceled and about 140 delayed, according to FlightAware.
Experts noted that Miami International lacks an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) – a crushable concrete bed designed to stop aircraft that overrun the runway. Mary Schiavo, a former Department of Transportation inspector general, said an EMAS could have prevented the aircraft from leaving airport property.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a news conference on Monday to discuss its investigation. The aircraft, a 32‑year‑old Boeing 767, was en route from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Miami.
Amazon released a statement expressing “deepest sympathies” to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
