Amazon Cargo Plane Overshoots Miami Runway, Crashes Into Vehicles, Killing Five

The Boeing 767, operating as Prime Air Flight 7598, had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, at around 2 pm (1800 GMT). Video from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the blue and white aircraft as fire trucks rushed towards the crash site.

Miami-Dade County fire chief Ray Jadallah said the aircraft struck several vehicles, trapping some victims inside them. Firefighters also carried out a complex technical rescue operation while searching for the pilot and co-pilot, who were trapped inside the aircraft.

"The airplane did strike a couple of vehicles," Jadallah said, adding that this left "a couple of victims that were actually trapped in the vehicles".

"A complex extrication with our technical rescue team" was needed, "including a search and rescue of the pilot and co-pilot that were trapped in this aircraft," he added.

Jadallah did not say whether either the pilot or co-pilot survived, while officials declined to take questions after making brief statements.

The aircraft caught fire as a result of the "crash", fire officials said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed 60 fire apparatuses and just under 200 personnel for the firefighting and search-and-rescue operation.

"The actual cause of the incident will be determined by the FAA and the NTSB," Jadallah said, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.

The NTSB said on X that the B-767-300 cargo aircraft was flying into Miami from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and that it had "launched a go team to investigate Sunday's runway excursion accident."

The crash forced the airport to close all runways and taxiways. By Sunday evening, the airport was advising travellers to check directly with their airlines before making their way to the airport.

Amazon said the aircraft "experienced an incident while attempting to land", but did not disclose whether anyone had been injured or killed.

"This is a fast-moving situation and we're still gathering details. We're working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said.

Miami Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz described what officers encountered as a "really tragic scene", but said there was "no apparent threat to public safety". The investigation by the FAA and NTSB will determine the actual cause of the runway excursion.