At least five people were killed Sunday when an Amazon cargo plane overshot a runway at Miami International Airport (MIA), according to Miami-Dade County officials. The crash, which occurred around 2 p.m. EDT, forced a temporary halt to all airport operations, though two of the four runways have since reopened.
The aircraft, operated by 21 Air, had just arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it overran the runway and struck multiple vehicles, according to the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR). Firefighters arrived to find the plane engulfed in flames, with heavy smoke billowing from the wreckage. Of the ten victims, five were transported to local hospitals or a trauma center; the other five were pronounced dead at the scene.
Political Response
Florida lawmakers quickly expressed condolences. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R) wrote on X: "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of five lives at Miami International Airport today. Miami is with every family affected by this tragedy." Sen. Rick Scott (R) also offered prayers, thanking first responders and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for "taking swift action."
Duffy, who earlier announced that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors would investigate, warned travelers to expect "significant delays and potential cancellations." The FAA initially issued a ground stop, then shifted to a ground delay lasting from 5 p.m. EDT Sunday to 3:59 a.m. EDT Monday, limiting incoming traffic to manage congestion.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a "go team" to investigate the incident. The Boeing 767-300, operating as Flight 7598, was a cargo flight for Amazon. In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company was "still gathering details" and "working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened."
Air traffic controllers had diverted 84 flights originally bound for MIA by mid-afternoon, according to Flightradar24. The MDFR deployed over 60 units to the scene. Photos shared on social media showed the front of the fuselage destroyed.
This crash adds to a series of recent aviation incidents drawing scrutiny. Earlier this year, a military cargo plane aborted an Antarctic mission after a Russian missile alert. Meanwhile, questions have been raised about decoy plane risks in high-profile travel.
The NTSB is scheduled to hold a press conference in Miami on Monday to provide further details. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
