Five Killed in Miami Cargo Jet Overrun While Van Carrying Plane-Cleaning Crew Was Struck
A Boeing 767 cargo plane overran the runway at Miami International Airport, hitting a van used by a plane-cleaning service and killing all five occupants, while two other passengers remain in critical condition.
A Boeing 767 cargo aircraft operated by 21 Air overshot the end of runway 9L at Miami International Airport on Sunday, striking a van belonging to Professional Ocean Service Corp., a company that provides aircraft-cleaning services. All five people inside the van were killed, authorities said.
The jet, arriving from Puerto Rico, traveled about 1,300 feet beyond the runway safety area, broke through a fence and collided with an SUV on a nearby street. Five additional individuals were injured; the pilot and co-pilot have been released from the hospital, while two victims remain in critical condition and a third is stable, Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz reported.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened an investigation, focusing on the absence of an engineered runway-overrun arresting system. Miami International Airport does not have the lightweight, crushable material installed at many U.S. airports, though it does meet federal requirements with a 1,000-foot safety buffer beyond the runway.
“Our recommendations must be implemented or we’re going to be here again,” NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said at a news conference.
Investigators have recovered the flight data recorder and plan to interview the flight crew, air-traffic controllers and other witnesses. The NTSB noted that strong tailwinds exceeding 25 knots may have contributed to the aircraft’s inability to stop on the runway.
Amazon, the cargo operator, issued a statement expressing cooperation with investigators and offering condolences to the victims’ families. Professional Ocean Service Corp. declined comment but released a statement mourning the loss of its employees.
Two of Miami’s four runways remained closed on Tuesday as the NTSB continued its documentation of the crash site. More than 225 flights were canceled and hundreds delayed on Sunday and Monday, with officials working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.