Investigators have successfully recovered both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder from the Amazon cargo plane that crashed at Miami International Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced on Monday. Despite this technical milestone, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy emphasized that the immediate priority remains the recovery of victims from the scene.
The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air, overshot the runway shortly before 14:00 local time on Sunday. The aircraft, arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was on its third flight of the day with two crew members on board. After striking navigational aids and airport equipment, it plowed through a perimeter fence and collided with a white Ford van and a Toyota Corolla. The impact resulted in five fatalities and left five others seriously injured.
Describing the crash site as “devastating,” Homendy noted that debris from the aircraft, vehicles, and fencing was scattered across a wide area. She stated that while the recorders are being sent to NTSB headquarters for evaluation, all other access to the aircraft and evidence gathering is secondary to victim recovery efforts.
Homendy cautioned that it is too early to determine the cause of the accident, as investigators are still in the fact-finding stage. The probe will examine multiple factors, including radar data, aircraft performance, crew experience and training, and weather conditions. A BBC Verify analysis indicated an active thunderstorm was near the airport prior to the crash, with wind gusts reaching 26 knots.
A significant aspect of the investigation will assess whether the runway should have been equipped with an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), designed to stop aircraft that overrun the end of a runway. Homendy termed this a “key” component of the inquiry. The NTSB has also appealed to the public for any photographs or videos that might assist the investigation.
Following the crash, two of the four runways at Miami International Airport remained closed, causing significant disruptions during the busy Labor Day holiday travel weekend. Amazon expressed that it was “heartbroken” by the loss of life and is cooperating closely with authorities, while 21 Air offered its condolences and confirmed its cooperation with the investigation.
Glad the recorders are safe, but please focus on identifying the victims. That’s the most urgent priority right now.
EMAS stops overruns. Why didn’t Miami have one installed? This feels like a preventable infrastructure failure.
I read about the thunderstorm nearby. Did the crew have visibility issues during that critical landing attempt?
Wait, was that plane on its third flight already? Pilot fatigue could definitely be a factor here worth investigating.
Heartbreaking news. Five lives lost in such a terrible accident. My thoughts are with all the victims’ families.