A Boeing 767-300 cargo jet bearing Amazon’s branding overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, leading to a catastrophic collision that claimed at least five lives and left five others injured. The aircraft, which had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, failed to stop within the designated landing zone for Runway 30, continuing at speeds of nearly 130 mph as it reached the end of the tarmac, according to flight tracking data.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed that the 32-year-old aircraft struck a 2012 Ford van carrying seven people during the incident. The jet, weighing over 100 tons, plowed through perimeter fencing and concrete barriers before sliding to a fiery stop near an area housing Tesla robotaxis. First responders on the scene were heard over emergency radio channels shouting, “Plane’s on fire!” and urging crews to “put your game faces on” as they initiated a massive rescue operation involving over 200 firefighters and 60 rescue units.
The impact was felt by nearby residents, including Spencer Deno, the mayor of the Village of Virginia Gardens, who described the ground shaking. Deno recounted driving toward Northwest 36th Street shortly after the crash, where he witnessed the aftermath. Another witness, Boeing 747 captain Francisco Diaz, noted that a student at a nearby training center had been nearly struck by the plane as it exited the airport grounds.
While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, aviation experts have pointed to the lack of an arrestor bed system at the end of the runway, which might have helped halt the aircraft before it reached the public roadway. Safety analysts noted that the plane appeared to perform an unstable approach, potentially complicated by a sudden shift in tailwinds as it passed through a developing thunderstorm. Air traffic control audio indicated that the pilots did not report any mechanical issues prior to the landing attempt.
The aircraft was operated by 21 Air, a North Carolina-based cargo carrier. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel expressed condolences, stating the company was heartbroken by the loss of life. As recovery operations continue, Homendy emphasized that the priority remains the recovery of victims. The incident has significantly disrupted operations at the airport, causing dozens of flight cancellations and widespread delays during the busy Labor Day period.
NTSB investigators are currently on-site surveying the wreckage to determine the exact sequence of events. Among the injured, three individuals were transported to a trauma center in critical condition. Authorities have not yet clarified the specific locations of the victims at the time of the collision, noting that the investigation into the cockpit crew’s condition and the flight’s final moments is ongoing. The report also notes that it was hard to tell from a distance there were any problems with the Boeing 767-300 bearing Amazon’s “Smile” logo on the tail fin, as it started its descent under dark clouds over Miami International Airport. The report also notes that something clearly was wrong, but as the plane got closer to touchdown Sunday. The report also notes that video posted to social media showed, going well beyond the usual landing zone for Runway 30, the jet seemed to hover. The report also notes that the left rear gear continued to bounce along the runway, but even after two of its landing gear made it to the ground. The report also notes that then through a chain-link fence with razor wire, it barreled across a small grassy patch. The report also notes that weighing more than 100 tons, headed straight for a four-lane road, concrete barriers designed to keep cars out of the secure area crumbled as the jet. The report also notes that “Within a minute, I began hearing sirens.