Five Killed as Amazon Cargo Plane Overruns Miami Runway

A Boeing 767 cargo plane operating for Amazon Prime Air overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Saturday, crashing through perimeter fencing and striking vehicles on a nearby roadway. Five ground workers were killed and two others critically injured when the aircraft struck a van. Preliminary flight recorder data indicates that the pilots attempted to abort the landing seconds before the collision.

Flight Recorder Reveals Go-Around Attempt

Data retrieved from the plane’s flight recorder by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows that the aircraft touched down late along the runway following a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the nose gear and right main landing gear touched down 30 seconds before the data log ended, with the left main gear touching down 11 seconds later.

Shortly after touchdown, the pilots released the wheel brakes and increased engine throttle to levels consistent with initiating a go-around maneuver. However, recorded data showed no deployment of speed brakes or engine thrust reversers. The 32-year-old aircraft traveled approximately 1,300 feet past the paved end of the runway, breaking through perimeter fencing before hitting vehicles outside the airport grounds.

Casualties and Victims Identified

The crash killed five occupants of a Ford Econoline van belonging to Professional Ocean Service Corporation, an aircraft cleaning vendor. Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz identified the deceased as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Narajo, 53; Julio C Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47. Two other men in the van, aged 32 and 79, were hospitalized in critical condition.

The two pilots on board the cargo plane, operated by charter carrier 21 Air LLC, survived the crash and were released after receiving medical treatment. Federal safety investigators plan to interview both crew members on Wednesday before releasing cockpit voice recorder transcripts to the public.

Investigation into Landing Conditions

The crash occurred shortly after a thunderstorm passed over the airport area. Federal investigators described the scene as “utter devastation” and are evaluating weather conditions, landing speeds, and mechanical systems. Video footage showed the aircraft landing far down the runway, prompting questions regarding approach speed and available stopping distance.

While safety officials have not declared a formal cause, aviation attorney Robert Clifford suggested that the aircraft may have attempted a tailwind landing, which increases touchdown speed and significantly reduces the runway length available to stop safely. NTSB investigators expect to remain at the crash site for about a week to gather evidence, while airport operations have begun returning to normal after days of flight disruptions.

Background

Amazon Prime Air relies on third-party air cargo carriers like 21 Air to handle long-distance package transport between major logistical hubs, including connections between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico. Runway overruns remain a primary focus of aviation safety investigations globally, frequently involving adverse weather, tailwinds, high touchdown speeds, or delayed braking decisions during landing.