Federal investigators said Monday they recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from an Amazon Air cargo plane that overran a runway at Miami International Airport, killing five people and injuring five others.
National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said the Boeing 767-300 was operated by 21 Air LLC for Amazon and was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it overran Runway 30 at 1:53 p.m. Sunday.
Download the Straight Arrow app today to get the stories that matter free from manipulation, bias or agenda.™
Point phone camera here
The plane struck navigational aids and airport equipment, hit a Ford Econoline van carrying seven people inside the airport perimeter, crossed a fence and then struck a Toyota Corolla. It stopped in the grass near another fence line after traveling about 1,300 feet past the paved runway surface.
Homendy called the scene “utter devastation” and said recovery work remained the top priority Monday. Investigators had limited access to the aircraft because of fuel at the scene and ongoing efforts to recover victims.
“Reuniting families with their loved ones is most important,” Homendy said. “The investigation and access to the aircraft as well as evidence can wait while recovery operations go forward.”
Runway safety under review
A key part of the investigation will be the runway design and the absence of an engineered materials arresting system, or EMAS, at the end of the runway. EMAS uses crushable material to help stop aircraft that overrun runways.
Homendy said investigators will determine whether such a system could have changed the outcome. She said the NTSB will not determine probable cause while investigators are on scene and will focus first on documenting the scene and collecting perishable evidence.
Aircraft history and airport operations
The aircraft had made two earlier flights Sunday, from Cincinnati to Miami and then from Miami to San Juan, before returning to Miami. Two crew members were aboard the cargo plane. The NTSB did not release information about their conditions.
The plane was manufactured in 1994, and investigators will review its age and ownership history. Homendy said the agency also will examine whether any previous NTSB recommendations are relevant but cautioned that it is too early to say what role they could play.
Miami International Airport said Sunday that Amazon Air Flight 7598 became disabled at the northwest end of the airport, prompting temporary runway and taxiway closures. Homendy said two runways remained closed Monday while two were operating.
What comes next
The NTSB asked anyone with relevant photos, video or other information to send it to them.
Homendy urged the public to send only relevant material, saying false or unrelated images can slow investigators’ work.
“Our whole goal as a safety agency is one thing: safety,” Homendy said. “It is to save lives, and that means our recommendations must be implemented, or we’re going to be here again.”
Round out your reading
- Lawyer says 57 Cornell frat members were in the group chat. Could their silence be a crime?
- Florida county discovers mysterious Flock cameras with no obvious owner.
- Off Script: They won their primaries on one message. Now it’s disappearing.
- Some question whether a popular affordable housing policy is making the nation’s home shortage worse.
- Kelvin wave incoming: Why the US should care.
