A tragic accident occurred Sunday at Miami International Airport when an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway, resulting in at least five fatalities and five injuries. The aircraft, a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 operated by the North Carolina-based firm 21 Air, came to a rest in an adjacent field after the incident. The plane had originally served as a passenger jet for various carriers before undergoing a conversion to cargo operations in 2015.
Emergency response teams from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) were dispatched to the 2100 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue, where the aircraft struck several vehicles. Chief Ray Jadallah described the scene as a highly complex situation, noting that crews arrived to find the plane engulfed in flames and emitting heavy smoke. Specialized firefighting units utilized foam to suppress the fire while technical rescue teams worked to extricate individuals trapped inside their vehicles. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the emergency response.
Of the five injured individuals, three were transported to a local trauma center in critical condition, while the remaining two were taken to area hospitals for assessment. Officials have not yet released the identities of the deceased or the injured, nor have they confirmed whether the victims were aboard the aircraft or on the ground at the time of the impact. MDFR personnel also managed an active fuel leak at the site, with local authorities urging motorists to avoid the vicinity of 67th Avenue and 25th Street.
Keith Winters, CEO of 21 Air, expressed his devastation regarding the accident in a statement released Sunday. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized that the company is prioritizing support for those affected. Winters confirmed that 21 Air is cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), both of which have launched formal investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel confirmed the company’s involvement and expressed heartbreak over the loss of life. She stated that Amazon is working closely with local officials to understand the sequence of events and is committed to supporting everyone impacted by the tragedy. The company has pledged its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
The crash triggered a roughly three-hour ground stop at the airport, which was initiated by the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET. Greg Chin, communications director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, reported that while two runways were eventually reopened, the airport experienced significant disruptions, with average flight delays reaching six and a half hours by Sunday evening. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the incident on social media, advising travelers to prepare for potential cancellations and delays as operations slowly resumed. The report also notes that and more than 60 of its units responded to the crash, miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the plane hit several vehicles near the 2100 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue. The report also notes that 21 Air says it’s “devastated” by crash at MIA. The report also notes that our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” he said. The report also notes that assisting the authorities, and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available, our immediate priorities are supporting those affected. The report also notes that including for the pilot and co-pilot inside the cockpit, while also locating and assessing patients throughout the scene, MDFR said, crews also conducted search and rescue operations. Officials have said it was too early to tell if the people killed were aboard the plane or on the ground. The report also notes that right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved.
