Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that key systems intended to slow the Amazon cargo jet, operated by 21 Air, were not deployed during its fatal landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, September 6. Specifically, the aircraft's thrust reversers and spoilers, which help decrease speed upon touchdown, were not activated. This discovery is a critical point in the ongoing investigation into the crash of the Boeing 767, which overran Runway 30.
The crash resulted in five fatalities and five injuries, with three individuals in critical condition. The deceased were all occupants of two vehicles struck by the cargo jet after it exited the runway. The aircraft first hit a 2021 white Ford Econoline van carrying seven people, owned by Professional Ocean Service Corp., a cleaning contractor for airlines. It then broke through a perimeter fence and struck a Toyota Corolla Cross outside the airport property.
The NTSB is analyzing data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which were recovered from the scene. Air traffic control audio indicated that the pilots did not report any problems with the plane prior to landing. However, flight tracking data showed the jet initially rising above the normal approach path before descending. A sudden wind direction change, resulting in a tailwind, may have also made it more challenging for the pilots to slow the aircraft on the 9,000-foot runway.
The incident, which occurred around 2 p.m. ET, saw the jet overshoot the runway by approximately 1,300 feet. Video footage showed the aircraft landing far down the runway and appearing to be traveling at a high speed. After coming to a rest in a parking lot with its nose tilted forward, flames erupted from a section of the jet, and thick, dark smoke billowed into the sky. The investigation by federal authorities is underway to determine the precise cause of the crash.
