Miami Plane Crash: Five Fatalities In Vehicles On Ground, According To NTSB

Five individuals lost their lives in the cargo plane crash in Miami when the aircraft overran the runway and collided with two vehicles.

Five individuals lost their lives and five more sustained injuries following the crash of an Amazon cargo plane during its landing at Miami International Airport in the United States.

The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air, overran the runway on Sunday, striking a cleaning van with seven occupants before breaching the airport’s perimeter fence and colliding with a Toyota Corolla that had three people inside.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the fatalities and injuries involved individuals in the two vehicles on the ground.

During a news conference at Miami International Airport on Monday, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy characterized the crash site as “utter devastation” and noted that it was too early to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Homendy stated that the aircraft was carrying two crew members and was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on its third flight of the day.

After overrunning the runway, the aircraft collided with navigational aids and other airport equipment before impacting a white Ford van operated by a contract cleaning company.

It subsequently breached the perimeter fence and struck a Toyota Corolla, coming to a halt approximately 1,300 feet (394 meters) beyond the runway.

The NTSB has successfully retrieved the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, and it is now dispatching them to the agency’s headquarters for thorough analysis.

Homendy stated that investigators were continuing to collect evidence and were not yet able to draw any significant conclusions regarding the cause of the crash.

Investigators will analyze the aircraft's flight history, crew experience and training, radar data, and aircraft performance. Different teams will evaluate the aircraft's systems and engines, while a meteorologist will analyze the weather conditions during the landing.


The NTSB will investigate if the runway should have been fitted with an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), intended to slow or halt aircraft that overrun runways.

Homendy characterized the matter as a crucial element of the inquiry.

Previous analysis by BBC Verification indicated that an active thunderstorm was present near the airport shortly before the crash, with winds gusting up to 26 knots (48 km/h).

The NTSB has requested that members of the public provide any photographs or videos that may aid in the investigation.

Homendy stated that the agency would release safety recommendations upon completing its investigation, emphasizing that the goal was to avert similar accidents in the future.

Meanwhile, two of the airport’s four runways stayed closed after the crash, and passengers were cautioned to anticipate additional disruptions.

The incident took place over the US Labor Day holiday weekend, a peak travel time in the country, with cancelations on Sunday impacting the arrival of aircraft and flight crews.

Amazon expressed its deep sorrow over the loss of life and stated that it is collaborating closely with authorities.

21 Air, the operator of the aircraft, conveyed its condolences and stated that it is cooperating with investigators.