Federal investigators are working to determine what caused an Amazon cargo plane to overrun a runway at Miami International Airport, killing at least five people and injuring five others.
The Boeing 767 cargo jet, operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air, crashed Sunday afternoon while landing after a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The aircraft overran the runway at around 2 p.m., crossed a busy roadway near the airport and struck multiple vehicles before catching fire.
Miami-Dade officials confirmed that at least five people were killed. Three people were critically injured, while two others were hospitalized with less severe injuries.
Emergency crews faced a dramatic scene after arriving at the crash site.
The pilot and copilot were trapped inside the cockpit, while people were also trapped in vehicles struck by the aircraft. Firefighters worked to extinguish heavy flames and deal with a fuel leak from the plane.
More than 200 emergency personnel responded to the incident.
NTSB Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Investigators are expected to examine several possible factors, including where the aircraft touched down on the runway, weather and wind conditions, as well as the plane’s maintenance history.
The Boeing 767 involved in the accident was approximately 32 years old. Originally built as a passenger aircraft, it was later converted for cargo operations.
The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Major Disruption at Miami International Airport
The accident temporarily halted operations at one of America’s busiest airports.
More than 160 flights were canceled and nearly 325 were delayed following the crash, according to flight-tracking data cited by the Associated Press.
Some flights were diverted to other airports as authorities responded to the emergency.
Amazon said it was heartbroken by the loss of life and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities investigating the accident.
The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.
As investigators examine the wreckage and flight data, attention will now focus on determining exactly why the aircraft failed to stop before reaching the end of the runway.
More information is expected as federal investigators provide updates on the deadly Miami aviation disaster.