Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A catastrophic aviation incident at Miami International Airport has left at least five people dead and five others injured after a Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft overran the runway and struck multiple vehicles, triggering a massive emergency response and the complete shutdown of the airport on Sunday afternoon.
The aircraft, identified as 21 Air Flight 7598 operating for Amazon Prime Air, was arriving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it overran the runway at approximately 2:00 p.m. local time. The 32-year-old aircraft landed on Runway 30, which is more than 9,000 feet long, before it continued beyond the runway, striking vehicles and catching fire.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue was the first to respond, with over 60 units arriving to find the aircraft engulfed in heavy flames and thick smoke. In a post on X, the department confirmed that "multiple patients" were at the scene. The casualty count was later confirmed by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who stated that five people had lost their lives and five others were injured. "My heart is with all of the families who were affected," Mayor Cava said.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah provided further details on the injured, stating that three of the injured were in critical condition and transported to a trauma center, while two others were taken to a local hospital. The crash scene, located near the 2100 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue, immediately prompted a massive response from law enforcement and emergency services.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and issued a ground stop, halting all inbound flights to Miami International Airport. The airport authority confirmed that the aircraft was disabled at the northwest end of the diagonal runway, forcing the closure of all runways and taxiways. No arrivals or departures were permitted as of 2:56 p.m..
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the ground stop and warned travelers to expect "significant delays and potential cancellations". The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office also closed a section of Northwest 67th Avenue near the airport due to the major first responder presence.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a "go team" to investigate the accident. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy will lead the investigation into the runway excursion. The FAA also stated it would investigate the incident.
Amazon issued a statement, confirming that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land. "We're working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened," the company said. The operator, 21 Air, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The cause of the runway overrun remains unknown. A review of air traffic control audio by CNN indicated that the pilots did not declare an emergency before the landing. The flight from San Juan took a little more than two hours. All departures destined for the airport were held until at or after 4:30 p.m. local time. Departures later resumed, according to Flightradar24.
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