Investigators have recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from an Amazon cargo aircraft that crashed while attempting to land at Miami International Airport, as authorities continue efforts to recover victims and establish what caused the accident.
The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air, overshot the runway shortly before 14:00 local time on Sunday while arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The crash killed five people and left another five seriously injured.
Aircraft Hit Two Vehicles
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the aircraft had two crew members aboard and was completing its third flight of the day when the accident occurred.
After running beyond the runway, the aircraft struck airport navigational equipment before crashing through a perimeter fence and hitting two vehicles.
One of the vehicles was a white Ford cleaning van operated by a contracted company and carrying seven people. The aircraft also collided with a Toyota Corolla carrying three occupants.
The plane eventually came to rest approximately 1,300 feet (394 metres) beyond the runway.
NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy described the crash site as devastating, with aircraft debris, damaged vehicles and sections of airport fencing scattered across the area.
Cause of Crash Not Yet Known
Homendy said investigators were still in the early fact-finding phase and warned against drawing conclusions about the cause of the accident.
The recovered flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are being transported to NTSB headquarters for detailed examination.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s flight history, the experience and training of the crew, radar information and the plane’s overall performance.
Separate investigative teams will assess the aircraft’s systems and engines, while a meteorologist will examine weather conditions around the time of the landing.
Runway Safety System Under Review
The NTSB will also investigate whether the runway should have been equipped with an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS).
The system is designed to help slow down and stop aircraft that overrun a runway by using specially engineered material capable of absorbing the aircraft’s energy.
Homendy said the question of whether EMAS should have been installed at the airport runway would be an important part of the investigation.
For now, authorities say the immediate priority remains the recovery of victims, while investigators continue gathering evidence that could eventually explain how the cargo aircraft left the runway and struck vehicles beyond the airport boundary.
