At least 5 dead, 5 injured after cargo plane overruns runway, strikes multiple vehicles near MIA

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - At least five people were killed and five others were injured after an Amazon cargo flying into Miami International Airport from San Juan, Puerto Rico, overran the runway and struck multiple vehicles, officials said, triggering a frantic race to rescue victims.

More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units and approximately 200 personnel responded near the 2100 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue, at around 2 p.m. on Sunday.

“Today is an incredibly difficult day for all of us here in Miami-Dade County, and now we know that five people lost their lives and five others were injured,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at a Sunday afternoon press conference.

The first group of responders arrived within 30 seconds of the plane crash.

Video obtained by WSVN shows the Boeing Prime Air 767-300 at the end of Runway 30 at the airport before it disappeared from view.

Another video captured the moments earlier as the plane began making its descent into the airport. It appeared to be having challenges on approach.

A third video clip captures the moment of distance, as the aircraft barreled into several vehicles just outside the airport’s perimeter. Part of the plane then burst into flames, leaving onlookers stunned.

Airport officials said Flight 7598, operated by by 21 Air on behalf of Amazon Air, was flying in from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport when it overran the diagonal runway and struck multiple vehicles near the airport.

Those who live near the airport said it was a scary sight.

“I looked and I saw, you know, the tail, and there was a lot of emergency vehicles that are heading in this direction. It’s crazy,” said Rohan Ellis.

“We live like right where flights come in, in the pattern, and all of a sudden no flights, and then we saw it’s a ground stop, and then sure enough, [fire rescue] shows up,” said Rory McNamara.

Fire crews doused the plane and its flames with foam as a search and rescue operation got underway.

The crash prompted officials to issue a ground stop, halting all flights in and out of MIA.

7Skyforce hovered above the scene, capturing the damaged plane on its belly with its right wing destroyed, apparent burn marks on the exterior of the plane, one of the vehicles that the aircraft struck wrecked in the field.

Pictures taken from the field captured a car engine ripped out and trees along the median destroyed.

Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said some people were trapped inside vehicles. The pilot and copilot were also trapped in the plane.

“The airplane did strike a couple of vehicles — a couple of victims were trapped in the vehicles, so a complex extrication with our technical rescue team started to occur,” he said during Sunday’s press conference. “In addition to that, we had a very complex fire, engine compartments that were on fire, including a search-and-rescue of the pilot and co-pilot that were trapped in this aircraft.”

Body camera video captured the moment first responders found one of the crash victims alive among the wreckage.

“These incidents require seconds, not necessarily minutes,” said Jadallah.

Officials said crews managed to pull three people from the wreckage. They were transported as trauma alerts and their conditions remain unclear. The other two victims were taken to area hospitals.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Northwest 67th Avenue between 25th and 36th streets was shut down. Drivers experienced delays, and officials urge motorists to seek alternate routes.

In a statement the Federal Aviation Administration said:

21 Air Flight 7598 overran the runway after landing at Miami International Airport around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, Sept. 6. The Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The FAA will investigate.

The cause had yet to be determined, and it was not clear if weather had played a role.

In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson said:

“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss. The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred. We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident. It remains unclear why the plane was unable to stop, but CNN reports data from the tracking site Flightradar24 shows the aircraft was going nearly 130 miles per hour when it left the unusable portion of the runway.

In addition, according to a review of air traffic control audio by CNN, the pilots did not declare an emergency before landing.

Officials said there is an ongoing fuel leak occurring from the plane and crews are working to contain it. They worked through the night around the wreckage.

“My heart is with all of the families who were affected and to everyone who is grieving tonight, and we’re also praying for the injured and for their families,” said Levine Cava.

On Monday afternoon, the National Transportation Safety Board provided additional details on the ongoing investigation.

“The flight was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico with two crew members onboard. This was the third flight for that aircraft [Sunday]. It went from Cincinnati to Miami, Miami to San Juan, then San Juan back to Miami,” said NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy.

Homendy added that the aircraft struck a white van that was owned by Professional Ocean Service Corporation, a contract cleaning company for airlines. Seven individuals were said to be inside the van when it was hit.

“The aircraft then traveled through a perimeter fence and impacted a Toyota Corolla Cross LE, which was traveling on Northwest 67th Avenue, and then continued into the grass and impacted another fence line which separated an area where Tesla robo-taxis were stationed,” said Homendy.

Investigators have recovered the aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which should provide critical details into the moments that led up to the crash.

“Prayers to the families, prayers to everyone that got hurt,” said a witness.

7News spoke to a family member of one of the hospitalized at Ryder Trauma Center. In Spanish, he said their loved one is doing OK.

Officials have released a Missing Family Hotline for those who may be looking for their loved ones. That number is 305-471-2400.

In a statement, a spokesperson for 21 Air, the aircraft’s owner, said:

We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami today. Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. Our immediate priorities are supporting those affected, assisting the authorities, and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available. We are cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and local authorities. The circumstances of the accident are under investigation.

Airport operations resumed several hours later, but as of Monday afternoon, only two of its four runways are currently operational.

Authorities have not released the identities of the victims, and it remains unclear whether or not the fuel leak has been capped.

As of Monday afternoon, the plane remains in the grassy area where it came to rest.

The NTSB is expected to provide further details into the investigation sometime Tuesday.

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