MIAMI — Federal investigators are examining why an Amazon Prime Air cargo jet barreled off a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, striking vehicles and bursting into flames in a crash that killed at least five people and injured five others, the Associated Press reported.
The Boeing 767, operated for Amazon by North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air, overran the runway around 2 p.m. after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and plowed across a roadway used by warehouse workers and nearby businesses. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said crews found heavy flames and smoke, trapped the pilot and copilot in the cockpit for a time, and later dealt with a fuel leak. Video of the landing appears to show the jet remaining airborne well down the runway before touching down, AP reported; aviation experts said investigators will focus on whether the plane landed beyond the normal touchdown zone and why a go-around was not executed.
The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team led by Chair Jennifer Homendy. More than 160 flights were canceled and nearly 325 delayed by late Sunday, according to FlightAware. Amazon said it was heartbroken by the deaths and would cooperate with investigators.
Sources: Associated Press.
