A cargo plane operating for Amazon skidded off the runway at Miami International Airport in Florida on Sunday and crashed onto a nearby road while landing, triggering a fire that engulfed vehicles caught in its path.
The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300, had flown in from San Juan, Puerto Rico. After running off the runway, it struck several vehicles on the road below and burst into flames. Miami-Dade County officials confirmed at a press conference that at least 5 people were killed on the spot, while 3 others were left in critical condition and 2 more suffered minor injuries.
Trapped victims and the rescue effort
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue chief Ray Jadallah said several people in vehicles on the road became trapped inside as the plane came down, and the aircraft's pilot and co-pilot were also stuck inside the cockpit. More than 60 fire units were rushed to the scene as soon as the crash was reported. After a prolonged effort, firefighters brought the blaze under control and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Even hours later, crews were still working to stop fuel leaking from the wreckage, given the risk it could reignite.
Plane rested on its belly as smoke filled the sky
Footage circulating on social media and news channels showed the aircraft resting on its belly beside the road, with two semi-trucks parked nearby. Despite the fire, the plane's main structure remained largely intact, though a thick plume of black smoke hung over the crash site for a long stretch afterward, visible from the surrounding neighborhoods.
A 32-year-old jet and the company behind it
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the cargo plane was being operated by North Carolina-based '21 Air'. Flightradar24 data showed the Boeing 767 was around 32 years old and had originally flown as a passenger aircraft before being converted into a cargo plane in 2015, meaning it had already spent years hauling freight rather than passengers by the time of the crash.
Flight delays and an investigation now underway
The crash badly disrupted air traffic at Miami airport, with around 250 flights still running late as of late Sunday night, leaving thousands of travelers stranded or delayed. The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is sending a special investigative team to Miami, led by chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, to determine exactly what caused the accident. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel expressed sorrow over the incident on social media, saying the company is working with local authorities to understand how the crash happened, and that the immediate priority is the safety and care of everyone affected.
