Dramatic footage has captured the moment a pilot from the Amazon cargo plane crash scrambled free from the stricken aircraft after it overshot the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, September 6, killing five people and injuring five others.
Pilot's desperate escape caught on video
Newly emerged footage shows one of the pilots crawling from the wreckage before making a dash to safety. As the aircraft grinds to a halt, a figure can be seen hauling himself from the fuselage onto a grassy area, then rising to his feet and jogging clear as smoke begins to pour from the plane.
The video was recorded by eyewitness Olvin Henriquez, who described it as "shocking to witness all of that." Speaking to ABC Miami, he said: "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."
Victims and investigation details
Investigators believe all those killed were occupants of a van carrying seven workers from a cleaning company, along with an SUV struck outside the airport's boundaries. National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed that the Boeing 767 arriving from Puerto Rico overran the runway by nearly 400 metres. She has yet to disclose any preliminary theories regarding the cause of the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Prime Air Flight 7598 overran the runway while landing around 2 p.m. on September 6 after departing from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Devastation at the scene and Amazon's response
Homendy led a team of investigators to the scene on Monday, describing what she found as "utter devastation." The wreckage comprised vehicle airbags, equipment from the vehicles, the aircraft and the airport, along with "fencing everywhere," Homendy stated. "It's pretty extensive. Hard to see and I'm sure it must have been very difficult for the responders as well," she said.
In an official statement, Amazon confirmed it would fully cooperate with any investigation into the incident. "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." Further details are expected to be disclosed by the authorities on Tuesday, including potentially crucial black box recordings.
