Five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon cargo plane overshot the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon. New footage shows one of the pilots crawling from the wreckage and running to safety moments before smoke billowed from the aircraft.
Crash details and casualties
The Boeing 767, arriving from Puerto Rico, overran the runway by nearly 400 metres, according to National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy. Investigators believe the five people killed were travelling in a van carrying seven people from a cleaning company and an SUV that was hit outside airport property. The cause of the crash has not been revealed.
In the clip, taken by eyewitness Olvin Henriquez, a man is seen slowly crawling out of the fuselage on a grassy area before getting to his feet and jogging away as flames take hold of the plane.
Eyewitness account and investigator response
Henriquez described the scene as ‘shocking to witness all of that’. He told ABC Miami: “We saw the pilot jump out of the cockpit door and run for his life as the plane rapidly burst into flames. My family and I quickly turned the car around, fearing the plane might explode violently.”
Homendy led a team of investigators to the site on Monday, describing the scene as ‘utter devastation’. The debris included vehicle air bags, equipment from the vehicles, the airplane and the airport, and “fencing everywhere,” she said. “It’s pretty extensive. Hard to see and I’m sure it must have been very difficult for the responders as well.”
Amazon response and next steps
Amazon said in a statement that it would cooperate with any investigation. “We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” the company said. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
Authorities are due to release more information, including potential black box recordings, on Tuesday.
