An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overshot a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, slamming into multiple vehicles before erupting in flames and killing at least five people. The devastating crash forced a three-hour ground stop and closed all four runways at one of America’s busiest airports.
Runway Disaster Leaves Trail of Destruction
The aircraft, operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air for Amazon’s Prime Air service, overran the runway and came to rest in an adjacent field. When Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews arrived, they encountered what Chief Ray Jadallah described as “a very complex situation” with the plane engulfed in flames and spewing heavy smoke. Firefighters deployed specialized foam and airport firefighting units to battle the blaze while conducting search and rescue operations throughout the wreckage.
Five additional people sustained injuries in the crash, with three transported to a local trauma center in critical condition. Several victims were trapped inside their vehicles and required specialized technical rescue personnel to extract them. Officials have not yet determined whether the five fatalities were aboard the aircraft or on the ground when impact occurred. The pilot and co-pilot’s conditions remain unknown.
Federal Investigation Underway
National Transportation Safety Board investigators arrived at Miami International Airport on Monday to begin examining what caused the fatal accident. The agency scheduled an afternoon news conference to provide updates on their findings. 21 Air CEO Keith Winters issued a statement expressing devastation over the crash and pledging full cooperation with federal authorities. “Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” Winters said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to supporting affected individuals and assisting investigators.
Amazon confirmed the plane’s involvement and stated the company is working closely with local authorities. Spokesperson Kelly Nantel said Amazon’s “absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved.” Fire officials reported an active fuel leak from the aircraft that required ongoing mitigation efforts.
Airport Operations Slowly Resume
Two of Miami International Airport’s four runways have reopened following the crash, and the ground stop has been lifted. However, significant travel disruptions continue affecting thousands of passengers. Airport officials urged travelers to contact airlines directly about flight status before heading to the facility. American Airlines announced it would waive change fees for passengers with flights to, from, or through Miami International Airport due to the ongoing situation. Authorities expect travel impacts to persist for at least another day or two as investigators continue their work at the crash site.