The short version
- National Transportation Safety Board data indicates pilots initiated a go-around maneuver moments before the aircraft struck vehicles off the end of the runway.
- Five ground workers from an aircraft cleaning company were killed when the plane crashed through fencing and hit a van, while two others remain in critical condition.
- The investigation continues to examine weather conditions, mechanical status of the 32-year-old jet, and pilot decision-making processes following the incident.
Federal investigators have released preliminary flight data suggesting that the pilots of an Amazon cargo plane attempted to abort their landing seconds before the aircraft overran a runway at Miami International Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed on Tuesday that records from the plane’s flight data recorder show the crew increased engine thrust in a manner consistent with a go-around maneuver, a procedure used to cancel a landing and climb back into the air. This revelation adds complexity to the ongoing inquiry into why the Boeing 767 failed to stop safely after touching down during a storm.
The crash resulted in five fatalities on the ground and left two other individuals hospitalized in critical condition. The victims were employees of Professional Ocean Service Corporation, a company contracted to clean aircraft at the airport. They were traveling in a Ford Econoline van that was struck by the jet as it careered off the end of the runway and through perimeter fencing onto a nearby roadway. Two pilots aboard the aircraft survived the impact and were released from the hospital after receiving treatment for their injuries.
According to the NTSB, the flight data recording ended shortly after the accident. The records indicate that the nose landing gear and right main landing gear touched down approximately 30 seconds before the end of the recording, followed by the left main landing gear 19 seconds later. Within a few seconds of touchdown, the brakes were released and throttle settings were raised to levels associated with aborting the landing. Investigators noted there was no evidence in the data that speed brakes or thrust reversers had been deployed prior to the impact.
Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, described the crash site as a scene of utter devastation, with debris scattered across a wide area including sections of the aircraft, destroyed vehicles, and fencing. The aircraft traveled roughly 1,300 feet beyond the paved surface of the runway before coming to rest. Video footage from the incident showed the plane touching down far along the runway, which has led to speculation that the aircraft may have been traveling too fast to stop safely given the conditions.
The accident occurred on a Saturday following a thunderstorm, raising questions about how weather factors influenced the landing attempt. The Boeing 767 involved in the crash is 32 years old and was completing its third flight of the day after departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico. It operated under contract to Amazon Prime Air through the all-cargo airline 21 Air LLC. Investigators are examining the mechanical condition of the aircraft as part of their broader analysis to determine if any equipment failures contributed to the outcome.
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz identified the five deceased individuals as Rolando Aleman Leon, Yoel Rodriguez Narajo, Julio C Pineda, Carlos Acosta Fajardo, and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo. The two critically injured survivors were a 79-year-old man and a 32-year-old man who were also in the van struck by the plane. Professional Ocean Service Corporation issued a statement honoring its deceased workers, describing them as family members deeply loved by their colleagues and expressing grief for those whose lives have been forever changed.
The NTSB plans to interview the two pilots on Wednesday to understand their decision-making process during the final moments of the flight. Details from the cockpit voice recorder will be made public after these interviews are completed. Investigators expect to remain at the site for approximately one week, focusing on recovering perishable evidence before drawing conclusions about the cause of the accident.
Miami International Airport began returning to normal operations on Tuesday after three days of cancellations and delays caused by the investigation. While the immediate response phase continues, officials emphasized that determining the precise cause of the crash will require extensive analysis of all available data. The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of safety protocols for cargo operations at major hubs, particularly regarding landing procedures in adverse weather conditions.
Industry experts have begun discussing the implications of the flight data, noting that a late go-around attempt can be dangerous if executed too close to the ground or with insufficient altitude. However, investigators cautioned against premature conclusions, stating that multiple factors must be weighed before attributing blame. The full scope of the investigation will likely take months to complete as experts reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the fatal impact.
As the community mourns the loss of five lives, local officials have stressed the importance of supporting the families affected by the tragedy. Sheriff Cordero-Stutz acknowledged the profound emotional toll on the relatives of the victims, noting that they will carry the memory of this event for the rest of their lives. The NTSB has reiterated its commitment to transparency and thoroughness in uncovering the truth behind the accident.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Pilots tried to abort landing seconds before deadly Amazon cargo plane crash that killed five
