Miami – A recent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) release reveals that the Amazon cargo plane which crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday was traveling at an unsafe speed just moments before impact. The data, taken from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, shows the pilot was warned by a co‑pilot that the aircraft was “too fast” about a minute before touchdown.
Excess speed documented in black‑box records
The flight data indicates the plane touched down with a groundspeed of 158 knots, roughly 30‑40 knots higher than the recommended landing speed for that aircraft type. Former Navy and commercial pilot Whiz Buckley, who has four decades of flying experience, described the situation as “cooking” and “a preventable tragedy.”
According to the NTSB summary, the pilot initially applied the brakes, reducing speed in stages to 146 knots, then 134 knots, and finally 120 knots. At that point the pilot called for a go‑around – a standard maneuver to abort the landing and climb back into the air. Buckley noted that with “full power” the jet could have taken off again, given the high airspeed already present.
Decision reversal leads to runway overrun
Four seconds after initiating the go‑around, the black‑box data shows the pilot re‑applied the brakes, abandoning the attempt to become airborne. The aircraft subsequently slid off the runway and crashed, killing five crew members. Buckley believes the pilot’s change of mind was a critical error, stating, “If he had stuck to that decision, based on the amount of airspeed he already had on that jet, he would have gotten airborne again, no problem.”
“This is a horror because I don’t see anything but human factor,” Buckley added, emphasizing that the crash appears to be the result of pilot judgment rather than mechanical failure.
NTSB to continue investigation
The NTSB said it expects to convene a formal hearing in the near future to review the full recordings and produce a written transcript of the event. The agency will continue to analyze the flight data and cockpit voice recordings to determine any additional contributing factors.
Authorities are working with the families of the victims and coordinating with airline and airport officials to address safety concerns. The incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to landing speed protocols and decisive pilot actions during critical phases of flight.
Residents of Miami and the broader South Florida region are reminded that aviation safety remains a top priority for both the airport and the airlines operating there. Updates will be provided as the NTSB releases further findings.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
