At least five people died and five others were hurt Sunday after an Amazon cargo aircraft ran off a runway at Miami International Airport and crashed into multiple vehicles, officials said. The incident triggered an approximately three-hour ground stop at the airport while emergency teams worked at the crash site.
The Prime Air aircraft, operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, overshot one of the airport’s runways before coming to a stop in a nearby field, officials said during a Sunday news conference.
According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the plane struck several vehicles in the area of the 2100 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue. More than 60 fire rescue units were dispatched to the scene, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said its deputies also responded.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue battles fire after plane crash, rescues victims
Among the five people injured, three were transported to a local trauma center in critical condition. Two additional patients were evaluated at the scene and taken to area hospitals. Authorities have not released the names of any of the victims.
MDFR said arriving crews found the aircraft engulfed in flames and sending thick smoke into the air.
“What we found was a very complex situation,” MDFR Chief Ray Jadallah said.
Firefighters used foam and specialized airport firefighting equipment to bring the blaze under control, MDFR said. At the same time, crews launched search-and-rescue efforts, including attempts to reach the pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit, while locating and evaluating patients across the crash scene.
Officials did not share additional details about the condition of the flight crew. They also said it remained too early to determine whether those killed were on board the cargo plane or on the ground.
Several people were trapped inside their vehicles and had to be removed using specialized MDFR technical rescue personnel, officials said.
Fuel leak reported at Amazon plane crash site
MDFR said there was an active fuel leak “occurring off of the aircraft that is being mitigated.” Residents and motorists were urged to avoid the area of 67th Avenue and 25th Street, Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis said.
Officials said there was no ongoing threat to public safety.
Amazon responds to cargo plane crash
Amazon confirmed one of its planes was involved in the crash.
“We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened. Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. We’re doing everything we can to support those affected,” Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said.
Nantel said the company was “heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
Amazon will “cooperate fully with any investigation,” Nantel added.
Is Miami International Airport still under a ground stop?
The Air Traffic Control System Command Center, part of the Federal Aviation Administration, issued the ground stop around 2:30 p.m. ET. Two of the airport’s runways have since been reopened, according to Greg Chin, the communications director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.
The FAA confirmed that a Boeing 767-300 that departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was involved. The 767 is 32 years old and had originally flown as a passenger plane for several airlines before it was converted into a cargo plane in 2015, according to Flightradar24.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Sean Duffy, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, shared a brief statement on X, advising travelers of possible delays and cancellations.
