Flight Recorders Recovered Following Fatal Amazon Cargo Plane Crash in Miami

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have retrieved the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from an Amazon cargo plane that overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday. The crash resulted in five fatalities and left five other individuals severely injured.

The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air, crashed shortly before 14:00 local time (19:00 BST) while arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on its third flight of the day. Onboard were two crew members. After overshooting the runway, the aircraft struck airport navigational equipment before colliding with a white Ford van owned by a contract cleaning company, which was carrying seven people. The plane then crashed through a perimeter fence, hit a Toyota Corolla containing three passengers, and finally came to a stop approximately 1,300 feet (394 meters) beyond the end of the runway.

Investigation and Recovery Priorities

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy described the crash site as devastating, noting that debris from the plane, fencing, and vehicles was spread across the perimeter. Homendy emphasized that recovering the victims remains the immediate priority before investigators focus fully on analyzing the wreckage. Both recovered flight recorders are being sent to NTSB headquarters for detailed examination.

Homendy stated that the agency is in the initial fact-finding stage and that it is too early to determine the cause of the incident. Inquiries will evaluate the flight crew's background and training, radar history, operational performance, aircraft engines, and mechanical systems. A dedicated meteorologist will also review weather conditions at the time of the landing. Additionally, the NTSB will examine whether the runway should have been equipped with an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), a technology designed to stop aircraft during runway overruns.

Disruption and Corporate Responses

The incident occurred during the busy Labor Day holiday weekend. Following the crash, two of the airport's four runways remained closed, leading to flight disruptions and crew shortages. Officials have urged the public to submit any photos or video footage that could assist the inquiry.

Both Amazon and 21 Air expressed condolences regarding the fatalities and confirmed they are cooperating fully with federal investigators. The NTSB expects to issue safety recommendations once the final investigation concludes.