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Amazon Cargo Plane Crashes at Miami Airport, Leaving 'Utter Devastation
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In Short: At least five people died and five others were injured when an Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport, according to officials.
An Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport, causing 'utter devastation' and leaving a Ford van 'torn apart,' according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved a Boeing 767-300 operated by 21 Air, a charter company based in North Carolina. The plane overshot the runway and hit several vehicles, including a Toyota Corolla SUV, before crashing through an airport fence.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava reported that at least five people lost their lives and five others were injured. The NTSB chair, Jennifer Homendy, stated that the crash spread jet fuel 'everywhere' and that the van was 'torn apart' by the Boeing jet.
Rescue crews arrived at the scene within seconds of the crash, and over 200 firefighters responded to extinguish the flames. The NTSB has recovered the plane’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders for analysis, with the investigation being led by officials from the NTSB and the National Transportation Safety Board.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- It was some other odour that I, honestly, had never smelled before," she said. Flight data from tracking site FlightRadar24 shows that the Amazon cargo flight was travelling at 112 knots (129mph, 207km/h) as it exited the "useable runway". In a blog post, the site said the plane came to rest near a car park that serves an Amazon warehouse and other businesses. There were light thunderstorms and gusting winds in Miami at the time of the incident, the site says. "The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred.
- "Our immediate priorities are supporting those affected, assisting the authorities, and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available." 'Incredibly difficult day' Miami-Dade mayor says after five confirmed dead The plane had earlier departed Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Three of the five people injured were in critical condition, Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah said.
- The NTSB did not comment on the health status of the two-person crew flying the Boeing 737-33A, but Homendy said those killed in the crash were in the two vehicles.
Sources
- The Independentlink