US investigators have recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from a cargo aircraft that overran a runway at Miami International Airport, killing five people and seriously injuring five others.
The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air as an Amazon cargo flight, went beyond the runway shortly before 14:00 local time on Sunday. The aircraft was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was making its third flight of the day, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy.
After leaving the runway, the aircraft struck navigational equipment before colliding with a white Ford van used by a contract cleaning company. The van had seven people inside. The plane then went through the airport perimeter fence and hit a Toyota Corolla carrying three passengers, before stopping about 1,300 feet (394 metres) beyond the runway.
Homendy described the scene as devastating, with aircraft wreckage, damaged vehicles and fencing spread across the area. She said the immediate focus was on recovering the victims, while further access to the aircraft and evidence could wait.
Investigation remains at an early stage
The recovered recorders are being sent to the NTSB’s headquarters for examination. Homendy said investigators remain in the fact-finding stage and cannot yet draw conclusions about the cause of the crash.
The inquiry will review the aircraft’s flight history, the crew’s experience and training, radar information and aircraft performance. Specialist teams are also expected to inspect the plane’s systems and engines, while a meteorologist will assess weather conditions during the landing.
The NTSB will examine whether the runway should have been equipped with an engineered materials arresting system, or EMAS, intended to slow aircraft that overrun a runway. Homendy said that issue would be a key element of the investigation.
BBC Verify analysis found an active thunderstorm was near the airport shortly before the crash, with wind gusts of up to 26 knots. The NTSB has asked members of the public to provide photographs or videos that may assist investigators.
Two of the airport’s four runways remained closed after the accident, and passengers were warned of continuing disruption following cancellations during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Amazon said it was heartbroken by the loss of life and was working with authorities, while 21 Air said it was cooperating with the investigation.
Source: BBC News
