An Amazon Air cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport has resulted in five fatalities and multiple injuries. Investigations are underway.
A cargo aircraft operated by Amazon Air crashed while attempting to land at Miami International Airport, leading to the deaths of five individuals and serious injuries to five others. The incident occurred shortly before 14:00 local time on Sunday, after the Boeing 767-300 had taken off from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In addition to the fatalities, the crash also struck several ground vehicles.
Amazon has stated that it is collaborating closely with local authorities and officials to ascertain the details surrounding the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily halted all flights at Miami International Airport to facilitate emergency response efforts as fire crews responded to the crash site, which was highly visible due to smoke and fire.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed her condolences during a press conference, stating, “At least five people have lost their lives, and five others are injured.” She noted that emergency services were on the scene almost immediately after the crash. Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah confirmed that three of the injured individuals were reported to be in critical condition and required hospitalisation for unspecified injuries. Some victims were trapped in vehicles and had to be rescued by fire crews.
The cause of the crash remains uncertain at this stage and will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which examines all air accidents in the United States. A news conference from the NTSB is anticipated on Monday.
The aircraft, operated by charter company 21 Air, reportedly overshot the diagonal runway at Miami International Airport and came to a stop at its northwestern end. Reports indicate that the plane caught fire upon impact, prompting over 200 firefighters to respond to the scene. Although the flames have been extinguished, authorities are still dealing with a fuel leak.
Kelly Nantel, Amazon’s Director of Corporate Global Media Relations, conveyed the company’s sorrow in a statement, saying, “We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport.” She emphasised Amazon’s commitment to assist ongoing investigations.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 revealed that the aircraft was travelling at approximately 112 knots (about 129 miles per hour) when it left the usable section of the runway. Weather conditions at the time included light thunderstorms and gusting winds, factors that may have contributed to the crash.
The timing of the accident is critical, as it coincides with the busy Labor Day weekend—a peak travel period in the United States. The incident has caused significant disruption at Miami International Airport, where passengers have reported frustration over a lack of information amid cancelled and delayed flights. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) noted that around 17 million travellers are expected to pass through US airports leading up to Monday’s Labour Day holiday, with an estimated 2.3 million flying on Sunday alone.
Miami International Airport, located near downtown Miami, ranks among the busiest in the country. Established in 1928, it is a major hub for international freight and is the second-busiest airport for international passengers in the United States, offering extensive connectivity to Latin America and the Caribbean. Stressing its significance, the airport states that approximately 60% of all international visitors to Florida arrive there.
