At least five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday and crashed into several vehicles before bursting into flames, authorities said.
The Prime Air cargo aircraft, operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Boeing 767-300 went beyond the end of the runway at around 2 p.m. local time and crossed a nearby road used by workers and businesses surrounding the airport.
The aircraft struck multiple vehicles before coming to rest in an area near the airport. Thick black smoke rose from the crash site as the plane caught fire. Miami-Dade officials said three of the injured people were in critical condition, while two others suffered less serious injuries.
Emergency crews faced a major response as the aircraft’s engine area was engulfed in flames and a fuel leak complicated rescue efforts. More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded, with firefighters using specialized airport equipment and foam to bring the fire under control.
The condition of the aircraft’s crew was initially unclear, with rescue teams working to free people trapped inside the cockpit and others trapped in vehicles. Officials also said it was too early to determine whether those who died were passengers or occupants of vehicles struck by the aircraft.
The crash caused significant disruption at Miami International Airport, with flights temporarily halted and numerous cancellations and delays reported. Hundreds of emergency personnel were involved in the response as authorities secured the area and assessed the damage.
Weather conditions at the time included thunderstorms in the area and gusty winds, although officials have not determined whether weather played a role in the accident. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The aircraft was a Boeing 767 that had originally been built as a passenger plane before being converted for cargo operations. Amazon said its immediate priority was the safety and well-being of everyone affected and that it was cooperating with authorities investigating the incident.
The cause of the runway overrun remains under investigation, and authorities are expected to provide further details as investigators examine the aircraft, runway conditions, weather and flight data.