At least five people were also injured, including three critically
Five people died and five were injured when an 21 Air Boeing 767-300ER converted freighter operated for Amazon Air overran a Miami International airport runway on 6 September, according to Miami officials.
The jet landed at a time when nearby storms had caused winds to shift and gust at the airport.
The aircraft was operating 21 Air flight 7598 when it overran the runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The 767 (registration N1997A) had landed on Miami’s runway 30 at 13:54 local time, according to Flightaware.com. 21 Air is an all-cargo airline. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating, with the NTSB sending a “go team” to Miami.
Miami officials confirmed the fatalities during a press conference several hours after the incident. Of the five injured people, three are in critical condition and two are also at a hospital. Officials do not identify the people killed or injured.
Fire and rescue crews arrived at the aircraft within 30s of receiving notice of the incident, an official says.
“Upon arrival, they found the aircraft outside the airport’s operational area, engulfed in flames and producing a large amount of smoke,” says Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. “The firefighters tackled a complex fire in the engine compartment and used foam from specialised airport fire units to extinguish it.”
One person was trapped under one of the involved vehicles and had to be extricated by specialised technical rescue personnel,” the department adds.
“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International airport,” Amazon says. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
Storms and rain were present in the Miami area at that time. A meteorologist with CBS News Miami says that several minutes before the incident a storm east of the airport had caused gusty winds at the airport.
Weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveals that roughly 30min prior to the incident winds had been light at the airport, blowing 8kt (14km/h) from the west.
The wind then shifted from the south and picked up to 17kt, gusting to 26kt, with thunder, at 13:53 – moments before the 767 landed. The data shows that the gusty conditions were short lived and coincided with the landing.
After touching down on runway 30, the jet struck several ground vehicles before coming to a stop near the northwest corner of the airport, according to images and several reports.
Photographs show the jet resting with its nose on the ground. Its right wing and engine appear badly damaged by fire.
Miami-based cargo carrier 21 Air, which operates a fleet of cargo aircraft for customers including Amazon, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The post Five people killed when 767 overran Miami runway amid gusty winds first appeared on FlightGlobal.