The identities of the five deceased and five injured individuals from the tragic cargo plane crash involving an Amazon Air-operated aircraft at Miami International Airport remain undisclosed as authorities continue their investigation into the incident that unfolded this past Sunday.
Current Status of the Survivors
Among those who survived, three are in critical condition, while two others sustained less severe injuries, according to the latest update from officials.
No specific details have been shared regarding how many of the fatalities were occupants of the vehicles struck by the plane or the current status of the two pilots involved.
Details of the Catastrophe
The accident occurred when a 21 Air-operated Boeing 767-300 cargo plane, flying for Amazon Air, overshot runway 30 during landing. It breached the airport's perimeter, collided with multiple vehicles, and subsequently caught fire.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported a total of ten casualties: five individuals lost their lives, and five others were injured. Of those taken to hospitals, three remain critically injured.
While the identities of the deceased and injured have not been publicly disclosed, the cause of death for the five fatalities—whether they were in the vehicles or aboard the aircraft—also remains unclear.
Emergency Response and Scene Description
Ray Jadallah, the chief of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, described the harrowing scene, noting that the crash trapped individuals inside vehicles. Emergency teams had to extricate one person pinned beneath a car.
The pilot and co-pilot were also trapped inside the cockpit of the Boeing 767 following the accident, but details about their specific injuries have not been released.
Images from the crash site depict a scene of destruction, with overturned and crushed vehicles scattered amidst debris and a broken perimeter fence. A large white truck was found crushed beneath the plane's fuselage.
More than 60 units and roughly 200 personnel were deployed to tackle the inferno and manage a fuel spill, according to Miami's fire department's reports.
Eyewitness Accounts and Flight Details
A truck driver working nearby recounted the initial moments of the disaster to Telemundo 51, describing the unexpected explosion, tremors, smoke, and flames. He reflected on the incident, acknowledging the constant risk faced by those working near the airport.
The ill-fated flight 7598, operated by 21 Air for Amazon, originated from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The crash occurred around 2:00 p.m. during its landing in Miami. The aircraft, a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 initially built for passenger travel, had been converted into a cargo plane.
After overrunning the runway, the plane crossed a road frequently used by warehouse workers and other airport-related businesses, hitting several vehicles before bursting into flames.
Amazon expressed its sympathies to the victims' families and affirmed its cooperation with authorities to clarify the circumstances and assist those affected. Following the crash, ground operations halted entirely, with all four runways closed for several hours before two were reopened.
Ongoing Investigation by NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a team led by Chair Jennifer Homendy to Miami to ascertain the crash's cause. Investigators will assess why the aircraft failed to stop on the runway, examining aspects such as landing conditions, weather factors, aircraft performance, and other relevant details.
As of now, officials have not publicly determined the accident's cause. Both 21 Air and Amazon expressed their devastation over the tragedy and committed to supporting the federal investigation.
Understanding the Miami Cargo Plane Crash
What caused the cargo plane to crash at Miami International Airport?
The exact cause is still under investigation by the NTSB. Factors being considered include landing circumstances, weather conditions, and aircraft performance.
How many people were affected by the Miami cargo plane crash?
A total of ten individuals were impacted: five fatalities and five injuries were reported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
What was the flight's origin before the crash?
The flight originated from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before landing in Miami.