Miami Runway Overrun Leave Investigator Chasing Answer

Officials are investigating what caused an Amazon cargo plane to overshoot the runway at Miami International Airport after landing in a deadly incident on Sunday. Five people were killed and another five were seriously injured when the Boeing 767-300, operated by charter company 21 Air, crashed shortly before 14:00 local time. Authorities have not yet identified those who died. Plane Crossed Road and Hit Vehicles After leaving the runway, the aircraft crossed a road beyond the airport and struck several vehicles on the ground. It remains unclear whether the fatalities occurred inside the aircraft, on the ground, or in both locations. 21 Air said it was "devastated" by the accident and confirmed that it was cooperating with investigators. Amazon also said it was assisting with the investigation. Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed the death toll at a Sunday evening news conference, while Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah said three of the five injured people were in critical condition. Several injured people were trapped inside or underneath vehicles and had to be rescued by emergency crews. More than 200 firefighters responded after the aircraft caught fire. Investigators Begin Search for Cause Officials have stressed that it is too early to determine what caused the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and was expected to provide further information at a news conference. Experts speaking to the Associated Press said investigators are likely to examine video of the aircraft landing, including whether the plane touched down within the designated landing area and what happened after touchdown. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft was travelling at approximately 112 knots (129 mph or 207 km/h) when it exited the usable portion of the runway. The plane had earlier departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Airport Operations Disrupted The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily grounded flights at Miami International Airport following the incident. The crash occurred during the US Labor Day weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Passengers reported cancellations and delays, with long queues forming at airline counters as travellers attempted to rearrange their journeys. Some passengers said they had received limited information and expected to remain in Miami for an additional night because of the disruption. Witnesses Describe Chaotic Scene People living near the airport described seeing a large cloud of dark smoke following the crash. Local witness Beth Tilman told the New York Times that she noticed an unfamiliar smell after the incident, while student pilot Rohan Ellis described seeing emergency vehicles and helicopters responding to the crash. The aircraft impact with vehicles on the ground added another dimension to the investigation, with authorities examining both the aircraft's landing and what happened after it left the runway. For now, investigators have not attributed the crash to any specific cause. The NTSB examination of the aircraft, flight data, runway conditions, weather, crew actions and other evidence will be important in determining what led to the deadly accident.