At least five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon cargo plane overran the runway at Miami International Airport, crossed onto a nearby roadway and slammed into multiple vehicles before erupting in flames.

The crash happened shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, as Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598, operated by 21 Air, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Boeing 767 veered off the runway and barreled across a road serving businesses and warehouse workers around the airport.

Three of the five injured people were in critical condition, according to Miami-Dade County officials.

It was initially unclear whether the people killed were aboard the aircraft or inside vehicles struck by the plane.

Plane Bursts Into Flames
Witnesses captured terrifying footage showing the massive cargo jet engulfed in flames as thick black smoke rose above the airport.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the aircraft caught fire after the crash, prompting a massive emergency response. More than 60 rescue units and roughly 200 personnel were sent to the scene.

Rescuers faced an especially difficult operation after the crash. The pilot and co-pilot were trapped inside the cockpit and had to be rescued, while emergency crews also worked to free a person trapped beneath a vehicle.

A fuel leak from the aircraft added another danger for first responders.

Despite the violent impact and fire, much of the aircraft remained recognizable after it came to rest beyond the runway.

Airport Operations Disrupted
All runways at Miami International Airport were temporarily closed following the crash as emergency crews responded and investigators arrived.

The disruption resulted in more than 160 canceled flights and roughly 325 delays, according to reports. Airport operations later resumed, although the crash caused significant disruption for travelers.

Amazon expressed condolences to the victims and their families and said the company would cooperate with the investigation.

Investigators Search for the Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with the Federal Aviation Administration also involved.

Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s landing, runway conditions, weather and other factors that could have contributed to the overrun.

Experts have raised questions about whether the aircraft touched down too far along the runway and whether wind conditions played a role. However, investigators have not yet determined a cause, and officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete.

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 767-300 freighter operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air. Reuters reported that the plane was 32 years old and had previously been used as a passenger aircraft before being converted to a cargo plane.

For now, investigators are working to reconstruct the final moments of the flight and determine why the aircraft failed to stop safely after landing.

The crash left a trail of wreckage and fire near one of the country’s busiest airports — and raised fresh questions about what happened during the final seconds of the Amazon cargo flight.

Course: NY Post