5 dead after Amazon cargo aircraft overruns runway in Miami, striking multiple vehicles

By Amanda Musa, Pete Muntean, Aaron Cooper, CNN

(CNN) — 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 on a road surrounding the airport, officials said.

A total of five people 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 extracted, Jadallah said.

There is no apparent threat to public safety at this time, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said during the news conference. The scene is still active.

“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.

More than 60 fire units responded to the scene to put out the fire, a spokesperson for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue told CNN.

“We can confirm that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport today. This is a fast-moving situation and we’re still gathering details,” Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement to CNN. “We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened.”

“Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. We’re doing everything we can to support those affected,” the statement continued.

The 32-year-old Boeing 767 was flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and landed on runway 30, which is more than 9,000 feet long, according to FAA data.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it is gathering information about the crash and the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate.

It’s not clear why the plane was unable to stop before the end of the runway. A review of air traffic control audio by CNN shows the pilots did not declare an emergency before the landing.

Later, inspection crews reported there were no aircraft parts or debris found on the runway, but the plane damaged navigational equipment when it left the pavement.

A ground stop at the airport was lifted around 5 p.m. ET, and there’s a ground delay into Monday due to the disabled aircraft on the runway, according to the FAA.

The FAA said the 21 Air flight overran the runway around 2 p.m. local time. The airline is a cargo carrier with an operations center in Miami that performs flights for companies like Amazon and DHL using Boeing 767 aircraft.

CNN has reached out to 21 Air for comment.

Runway excursions – when airplanes go off the runway – are the number one incident involving airplanes worldwide, according to data from the International Air Transport Association.

The runways at Miami International, like many airports, have a designated safety area that serves as a buffer in case excursions occur.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN’s Sarah Dewberry and Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata contributed to this report.

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