At least five people are dead after an Amazon cargo aircraft overran the runway during a landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, striking multiple vehicles and sending a thick black plume of smoke into the air as it caught fire.
Five others were injured in the crash, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah said during a news conference Sunday evening.
Three are in critical condition and were taken to a trauma center, while two others were taken to a local hospital, he said.
Several victims were trapped in the vehicles that were hit by the plane and had to be extricated, Jadallah said.
The plane, a Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft, was flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it overran the runway after landing in Miami around 2 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said.
It’s not clear why the plane was unable to stop. It was going nearly 130 miles per hour when it left the usable portion of the runway, according to data from tracking site Flightradar24.
A review of air traffic control audio by CNN shows the pilots did not declare an emergency before the landing.
More than 60 “units arrived to find an airplane that had caught on fire as a result of this crash, with heavy flames and smoke showing,” an X post from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue says.
“Guys, the plane’s on fire. Plane’s on fire. Put your game faces on,” a first responder said in dispatch audio obtained by Broadcastify.
Responders said the pilots had been removed from the plane and were being treated. Their conditions are unknown.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said it was in the process of confirming the identities of those who died and had established a dedicated family information phone line.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA will investigate. A team of FAA investigators was on the scene as of Sunday evening, according to the city’s mayor, and NTSB investigators were on their way.
“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement to CNN.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
“The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred,” the statement continues. “We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”
21 Air is an all-cargo carrier headquartered in North Carolina, according to its website. It has a 24/7 operations center in Miami that dispatches planes for companies like Amazon and DHL using a fleet of Boeing 767 aircraft.
According to aviation analytics company Cirium, 21 Air operates eight Boeing 767 planes for Amazon Air, the retailer’s cargo airline.