A cargo plane operated by 21 Air for Amazon overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, killing at least five people and injuring five others, according to Miami-Dade County officials.
On Sunday, September 6, at about 1:58 p.m., the Boeing 767-300 aircraft veered off Runway 30 and hit some cars before it ended up in a field near the airport, as stated by Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz.
Three of the injured were taken to a trauma center in critical condition and two others to a local hospital, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah. Several victims trapped in the struck vehicles had to be extricated.
More than 60 fire units and about 200 personnel responded to heavy flames and smoke, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported. Crews also searched for the pilots, who were trapped inside.
Flight 7598 had departed Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel called the accident devastating. Keith Winters, CEO of 21 Air, added that the company is fully cooperating with the federal authorities in their investigation work.
The National Transportation Safety Board deployed a go-team led by its chairperson, Jennifer Homendy and set up a Monday briefing. Investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update you as information becomes available.
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