MIAMI, FL — Five people were killed when an Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, turning a busy travel hub into a large emergency scene. Local officials said multiple people were taken to area hospitals as first responders rushed to the airport.
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said the aircraft overran the runway at about 1:58 p.m. and came to rest in a field next to the airport. Video posted online showed the Prime Air Boeing 767 off the pavement with its tail beyond a fence and thick black smoke rising from the wreckage.
First responders swarmed the scene as fuel leak complicated the response
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said more than 60 units responded to the crash. Fire rescue Chief Ray Jadallah said during a briefing that the aircraft had a fuel leak, and crews were working to contain it.
Officials described the scene on the ground as chaotic, with emergency crews trying to secure the area and care for people injured in the crash. The full number and condition of those taken to hospitals had not been released in the initial statements.
FAA says Flight 7598 left Puerto Rico before the crash in Miami
The Federal Aviation Administration said Flight 7598 had originally departed from Luis Muñoz MarÃn International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The agency said it will investigate the crash.
Amazon said the plane was being operated by contract cargo carrier 21 Air at the time of the accident. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company was still gathering details and working with local authorities to understand what happened.
Miami airport closed all runways and taxiways after the Boeing 767 came to rest
The Miami-Dade Aviation Department said the plane overran the airport’s diagonal runway and was disabled at the northwest end of the airport. The department said all runways and taxiways at Miami International were closed as of 3 p.m.
That shutdown came as crews continued to work around the crash site and investigate the damage. The airport said the aircraft had left the runway before stopping in the field beside the airfield, which added to the disruption on the ground.
FAA ground stop delayed flights as federal officials warned of cancellations
The FAA issued a ground stop on aircraft until 3 p.m., then extended it until 5:30 p.m. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the pause was ordered so first responders could assess the scene.
Duffy also warned travelers to expect significant delays and possible cancellations. With the airport’s movement areas closed, the crash affected not only the immediate emergency response but also the wider flow of arrivals and departures through Miami.
Amazon says it is working with authorities while investigation begins
Amazon said in a social media post that it was a fast-moving situation and that it was still collecting facts. Nantel said the company’s priority was the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved and that it was supporting those affected.
The crash remains under investigation by federal authorities. For now, officials have confirmed the deaths, the runway overrun, the fuel leak, and the major airport shutdown, but they have not yet publicly explained what caused the plane to leave the runway.
Local news that matters, from Dulaney Griffin.
