Five killed as Amazon Prime Air cargo plane crashes at Miami International Airport

Flight Prime Air 7598, operated by North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air, overran a diagonal runway at Miami International Airport at approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aircraft struck several vehicles and caught fire, resulting in at least five deaths. Additionally, three people suffered critical injuries and two others were hospitalized with less severe injuries. Authorities noted it was too early to determine whether the deceased individuals were aboard the aircraft or in the vehicles hit on the ground.

The crash sent thick black smoke into the sky and left the Boeing 767 resting on its belly near a roadway next to two semi-trucks, with its nose on the ground and tail tilted up. Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah reported that the pilot and co-pilot were trapped in the cockpit, some occupants were trapped in cars, and another person was pinned under a vehicle. Hours after the crash, fire crews were still working to contain a fuel leak from the largely intact aircraft.

The incident forced the closure of all runways and taxiways at the airport by 3 p.m. EDT, causing about 250 flight delays late Sunday. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy advised travelers on X to expect significant delays and potential cancellations. According to flight-tracking site Flightradar24, the aircraft involved was a 32-year-old Boeing 767 that had been converted from a passenger plane to a cargo jet in 2015.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it is deploying an investigative team to Miami, led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy. Amazon released a statement expressing deep sympathy for the victims' families and confirming they would fully cooperate with the investigation.