Amazon plane in deadly Miami crash hit van carrying seven people
The Amazon cargo plane involved in a deadly crash at Miami airport struck a van with seven people inside when it overshot the runway, according to safety investigators in the United States.
At least five people died and five were injured when the Prime Air Boeing 767 jet overshot a major airport runway and crashed on a nearby road on Sunday, September 6 (September 7 AEST).
The Amazon cargo plane sits at Miami International Airport after overshooting a runway and killing five people. AP Photo/David Santiago
The aircraft ended up about 400 metres past the runway,
The victims’ location during the crash and the condition of the two pilots rescued from the cockpit still aren’t clear.
In an update on the tragedy, the US National Transportation Board (NTSB) chair, Jennifer Homendy, says the aircraft with two crew aboard hit a white Ford van carrying seven people from a cleaning company, and a Toyota car travelling on 67th Avenue when it overshot the runway at Miami International Airport.
All five of those killed were inside the vehicles, Homendy said.
National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy speaks during a news conference at Miami International Airport (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Aside from the five who died, three people were critically injured and two others were hospitalised with less severe injuries.
During a media conference on September 7 (September 8 AEST), she described the scene of the crash as “devastating”.
“I would describe it in one word as devastating, utter devastation,”
“There is debris everywhere ... It’s hard to see, and I’m sure very difficult for the first responders as well,” said Homendy.
The crash, which sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, trapped the pilot and copilot in the cockpit and some occupants in cars, said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah. The agency said crews also had to rescue a person who was trapped under a vehicle.
The Amazon plane, which flew into Florida from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was being operated by 21 Air. Lynne Sladky
The NTSB priority is recovering the bodies of victims, with more investigators expected to arrive in Miami over coming hours.
“The investigation and access to the aircraft, as well as evidence, can wait,” said Homendy.
The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and are being sent to the NTSB to be examined.
The disaster left Miami’s airport operating with just two of its normal four runways on a busy Labor Day public holiday.
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