A tragic incident occurred Sunday afternoon at Miami International Airport when a cargo aircraft operated by 21 Air overran the runway during landing. The plane struck multiple vehicles on a road bordering the airport, resulting in at least five deaths. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah confirmed that an additional five people were injured in the crash, with three victims in critical condition at a trauma center and two others receiving care at a local hospital.
Emergency responders faced a harrowing scene as several victims were trapped inside the impacted vehicles and required extraction. More than 60 fire units were deployed to combat the blaze, which broke out immediately following the collision. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue noted in a social media update that their teams arrived to find the aircraft engulfed in heavy flames and smoke.
The aircraft, a 32-year-old Boeing 767, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and touched down on the 9,000-foot-long runway 30. While the cause of the excursion remains under investigation, air traffic control recordings indicate that the pilots did not declare an emergency prior to the landing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is leading the investigation, with the National Transportation Safety Board also gathering information on the event.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel confirmed the plane was operating on behalf of the company and stated they are working closely with local authorities to determine the circumstances of the crash. The airline, 21 Air, is a Miami-based cargo carrier that provides services for major logistics firms including DHL and Amazon. Despite the severity of the crash, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to safety.
Airport operations were significantly impacted by the incident. A ground stop was implemented but lifted by 5 p.m. ET; however, the FAA noted that ground delays are expected to persist into Monday as the disabled aircraft remains on the runway. Inspection crews reported that while no debris was found on the runway itself, the plane caused damage to navigational equipment as it exited the pavement.
Runway excursions are recognized by the International Air Transport Association as the most frequent type of aviation incident globally. While airports like Miami International maintain designated safety buffer zones to mitigate such risks, this event highlights the ongoing dangers associated with landing operations. Authorities continue to process the active scene as the investigation into the mechanical and operational factors of the flight proceeds. The report also notes that this is a fast-moving situation and we’re still gathering details,” Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement to. The report also notes that “We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened.”. The report also notes that “Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. The report also notes that we’re doing everything we can to support those affected,” the statement continued. The report also notes that it’s not clear why the plane was unable to stop before the end of the runway. The report also notes that the FAA said the 21 Air flight overran the runway around 2 p.m. The report also notes that has reached out to 21 Air for comment.
