At least five dead after Amazon cargo plane overruns Miami runway

At least five people were killed when an Amazon cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, struck vehicles and burst into flames, authorities said.

The aircraft arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and ran off the runway at about 2 p.m. Miami-Dade County officials said three people were critically injured and two others were taken to hospital with less serious injuries. Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said some people were trapped in vehicles, while the pilot and co-pilot were trapped in the aircraft.

More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded and found the plane on fire. Crews were still dealing with a fuel leak several hours later, Jadallah said. Images showed the Prime Air aircraft resting on its belly beside a roadway near two semi-trucks; it appeared largely intact despite the fire.

The flight was operated by North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air. Flightradar24 says the 32-year-old Boeing 767 was built as a passenger aircraft, flew for several airlines for more than two decades and was converted to a cargo plane in 2015. FlightAware reported about 250 delayed flights at the airport late Sunday afternoon.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a Miami investigation team led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a social-media post that the company was working with local authorities and officials to determine what happened, and that the safety, well-being and care of everyone involved was its priority.