At least five people were killed after an Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) Prime Air cargo aircraft overran a runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday and struck several vehicles, according to local officials.
Prime Air Flight 7598 overran the airport’s diagonal runway shortly before 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT), officials said at a news conference.
Five people were also injured, including three who were in critical condition, Miami-Dade Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said. At least two people were trapped in vehicles struck by the aircraft, while the pilot and co-pilot were trapped inside the plane following the crash.
Officials did not identify those who died.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said more than 60 rescue units and approximately 200 personnel responded to the incident. Emergency crews were still addressing a fuel leak from the aircraft as of late Sunday afternoon, according to Jadallah.
Miami International Airport initially halted all flights following the crash, with operations resuming by Sunday evening.
Aircraft operated by 21 Air for Amazon
The aircraft had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 freighter, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.
The aircraft had previously operated as a passenger jet for various airlines between 1994 and 2015.
An Amazon spokesperson said cargo airline 21 Air operated the aircraft on the company’s behalf.
“We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami today,” 21 Air said on its website. “Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.”
Photographs published by Reuters following the crash showed the aircraft with its nose on the ground and its tail raised. The right side of the aircraft appeared to have scorch marks.
Flightradar24 said the aircraft was travelling at 112 knots, or 129 mph, when it left the usable runway.
NTSB opens investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board said it had dispatched an investigative team led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy and planned to hold its first media briefing in Miami on Monday.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company was continuing to gather information about the incident.
“We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened,” Nantel said in a statement. “Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved.”
Boeing and 21 Air said they would support the government investigations into the crash.
The cause of the accident was not provided in the source material.
Previous Amazon Prime Air accident
The incident follows a February 2019 crash involving Atlas Air Flight 3591, a Boeing 767-300 freighter operating for Amazon Prime Air between Miami and Houston.
That aircraft entered a rapid descent and crashed into Trinity Bay, Texas, killing all three people aboard.
Miami International Airport handled nearly 3.5 million metric tons of freight last year and 55.3 million passengers, according to figures cited by the airport in June. Airports Council International ranks Miami as the third-busiest U.S. airport for freight after Anchorage, Alaska, and Louisville, Kentucky.