A cargo aircraft operating for Amazon overran the runway while landing at Miami International Airport in the United States on Sunday, September 6, killing at least five people and injuring five others. Three of the injured were in critical condition, according to local authorities.
The aircraft was a Boeing 767-300 freighter operated by 21 Air within the Prime Air network. The flight had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and went beyond the end of the runway at around 2 p.m. local time. It then crossed the safety area, struck nearby vehicles and caught fire.
Emergency response mobilized about 200 personnel
More than 60 emergency units and approximately 200 responders were deployed to the accident. Rescue teams faced intense flames and a fuel leak while working to free people trapped in the aircraft’s cockpit and in the vehicles that were hit.
Authorities had not yet specified whether all those killed were aboard the aircraft or in vehicles on the ground. The identities of the victims had also not been released at the time of the latest update.
Airport operations were disrupted
The crash forced a temporary suspension of operations at Miami International Airport. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed during the emergency response, and some traffic had to be diverted. Operations resumed gradually, although passengers continued to face schedule changes.
Miami is one of the leading air-cargo hubs in the United States and an important link between the country, the Caribbean and Latin America. The interruption therefore also affected the airport’s logistics operations.
Cause remains under investigation
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board opened an investigation to determine why the aircraft overran the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration is also participating in the inquiry.
Weather conditions, the point at which the aircraft touched down, its braking systems and flight-recorder data are expected to be examined. Authorities have not announced a cause, however, and any attribution at this stage would be premature.
Amazon said it was cooperating with investigators and expressed condolences to the victims. Boeing also said it was monitoring the case and was prepared to provide technical assistance.
Sources: Associated Press and Reuters.
