Flight Data Shows Amazon Cargo Plane Attempted Aborted Landing Before Fatal Miami Crash

An Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport on Saturday, killing five people on the ground. Data from the aircraft's black box indicates that the pilots attempted a go-around, or aborted landing, seconds before the plane careered off the end of the runway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the nose and right main landing gear touched down 30 seconds before the recording ended, followed by the left main landing gear 19 seconds before the end. Shortly after, the pilots increased throttles to values consistent with a go-around, though investigators found no evidence that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed to slow the jet.

The aircraft, a Boeing 767 operated by 21 Air llc under contract to Amazon, traveled approximately 1,300 feet beyond the paved surface and through a perimeter fence. It struck at least two vehicles, including a Ford Econoline van. Five employees of the Professional Ocean Service Corporation, an aircraft contract cleaning company, were killed in the van. Two other men, aged 79 and 32, remained hospitalized in critical condition. The two pilots on board were released from the hospital after receiving treatment.

While some reports focused on the flight data and the immediate cause of the crash, other coverage highlighted a lack of safety infrastructure at the airport. Specifically, Miami International Airport does not have an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), which is a bed of crushable cement designed to decelerate aircraft that overrun a runway. This system is used at 70 other United States airports to prevent planes from striking nearby obstacles such as highways or homes.