Flight recorders recovered after Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overshoots Miami runway

Investigators have recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from an Amazon-contracted cargo jet that overshot a runway at Miami International Airport and struck two vehicles, killing five people, authorities said.

What authorities have said

National Transportation Safety Board chief Jennifer Homendy said the aircraft, a Boeing 767 built in 1994 and operated by 21 Air LLC, was on its third flight of the day arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it ran past the paved surface and came to a stop about 1,300 feet past the runway.

Homendy said one of the vehicles struck was an Econoline cleaning-services van carrying seven people on airport property. The jet then tore through a perimeter fence, struck an SUV traveling on a public road and hit a second fence near an area where robotaxis were parked.

The victims were limited to the people in the two vehicles that were struck, Homendy said. She declined to discuss the health status of the plane’s two pilots.

Recorders recovered, recovery operation ongoing

“We were able to recover the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder,” Homendy said, adding that the devices were being sent to the NTSB for analysis.

“The investigation and access to the aircraft as well as evidence can wait while the recovery operation goes forward,” she said. “That is most important, reuniting families with their loved ones.”

Scene at the airport

Homendy described a devastating scene at Miami International Airport, with debris and spilled fuel at the crash site. She said there was fuel inside the aircraft that needed to be removed and that recovery teams were continuing to recover the remains of some victims.

“The Econoline van is torn apart,” she said, referring to the first vehicle hit.

Operational impact

The NTSB chief said investigators began probing the crash site while emergency responders continued recovery efforts. She also said, “We do want to interview the crew.”

Authorities said five people were killed in the accident.