Amazon cargo plane crashes at Miami airport after overshooting runway, fire breaks out

An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, struck several vehicles and burst into flames, prompting a major emergency response and the closure of all runways and taxiways at one of the busiest airports in the United States.

The plane, which arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, reportedly overran the runway around 2 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. After leaving the runway, the plane struck several vehicles before coming to rest near the roadway and two semi-trucks.

Massive emergency response

More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene. Emergency crews found the plane engulfed in flames and worked to extinguish the fire while assessing those who may have been affected by the crash. Authorities did not immediately release information about possible injuries or deaths.

Images from the crash site showed the Prime Air plane resting on its belly next to the roadway. Despite the intense fire and thick black smoke rising over the airfield, the aircraft appeared to be largely unscathed.

The FAA is sending investigators

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the FAA has sent investigators to look into the incident. The agency also imposed a full ground shutdown at Miami International Airport as emergency crews responded.

Operations at the Miami airport were disrupted

The crash forced officials to close all runways and taxiways, disrupting air traffic at South Florida’s main hub. The FAA warned that delays could continue after the airport reopens, with arrivals and departures expected to operate at reduced capacity.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it is gathering information about the crash and is expected to help determine what caused the plane to overrun the runway.

Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Authorities continued emergency operations and an investigation into the crash as officials worked to determine the extent of the damage and whether anyone was seriously injured or killed.