- An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport, killing five people and injuring five others on Sunday.
- All fatalities occurred on the ground when the aircraft struck two vehicles after traveling 1,300 feet past the runway; both pilots survived.
- The NTSB recovered black boxes and is investigating landing speed, weather conditions, and the lack of an Engineered Materials Arresting System.
- Over 200 emergency personnel responded to the scene, and two airport runways remain closed as the federal investigation continues.
MIAMI, USA: Five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, U.S. authorities said.
The Boeing 767-33A, operated by 21 Air LLC for Amazon Prime Air, was flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Miami when it ran beyond the end of Runway 30 at about 1:53 p.m. local time.
The 32-year-old aircraft, operating as Prime Air Flight 7598, traveled about 1,300 feet (396 meters) beyond the runway before crossing the airport perimeter and hitting two vehicles. The aircraft then came to a stop and caught fire.
According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, all five people who died were on the ground in the vehicles struck by the aircraft. One of the vehicles was a Ford Econoline van carrying seven people, while the other was an SUV.
The two pilots survived the crash. Investigators had not yet interviewed them as of Monday.
Five other people were injured, including three who were reported to be in critical condition. Authorities had not immediately released the names of those killed or injured.
The NTSB has sent 32 investigators to the crash site to examine the wreckage, document the scene and collect evidence. Homendy described the crash site as showing extensive damage to the aircraft and vehicles.
Investigators recovered the aircraft's flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, commonly referred to as the black boxes. The recorders were taken to the NTSB's headquarters in Washington for examination.
Initial information showed that the aircraft was traveling at about 112 knots, or 207 kilometers per hour, when it left the usable runway surface. Investigators are examining several factors, including the aircraft's landing performance, actions by the flight crew, weather conditions and other operational circumstances.
Officials have cautioned that no cause has been established and that the investigation is still in its early stages.
Investigators are also looking at the area beyond the runway, including the absence of an Engineered Materials Arresting System, or EMAS. The system uses specially designed material to slow and stop an aircraft that runs beyond a runway. Whether its absence affected the outcome of Sunday's crash remains to be determined.
The aircraft had already completed two flights earlier in the day. It first flew from Cincinnati to Miami and then from Miami to San Juan before returning to Miami.
More than 60 emergency units and about 200 personnel responded to the crash. Airport operations were disrupted for several hours, with flights canceled and delayed. Two of the airport's four runways remained closed while investigators examined the crash site.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB are continuing the investigation. Authorities have also appealed to members of the public who may have photographs or videos showing the aircraft's approach or the crash to share them with investigators.
Amazon and 21 Air expressed condolences to the victims and their families and said they were cooperating with investigators.
The NTSB is expected to release additional factual information as the investigation continues. A final determination of what caused the crash is expected to take much longer.
