Here’s what happened.
A deadly cargo plane crash brought operations at Miami International Airport to a sudden halt Sunday, triggering a massive emergency response and leaving travelers facing significant delays and cancellations.
Local officials said five people were killed and five others were injured after an Amazon cargo plane overran a runway and crashed. Three of those injured were reported to be in critical condition.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded by announcing a full ground stop at Miami International Airport while emergency crews secured the area and authorities began investigating what went wrong.
The dramatic incident quickly became a major transportation emergency at one of America’s busiest international airports.
Miami Airport Grounded After Deadly Crash
The Boeing 767 cargo aircraft had reportedly flown from San Juan, Puerto Rico, before the accident occurred at Miami International Airport.
Shortly after the crash, Duffy announced that flights were being stopped while first responders assessed the scene.
Travelers passing through Miami were warned to expect substantial delays and possible flight cancellations as emergency crews worked around the wreckage.
The shutdown immediately affected passengers traveling through South Florida and potentially created ripple effects for flights elsewhere in the country.
Five Killed and Five Injured, Officials Say
Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins announced the reported death toll during an evening press conference approximately three hours after the accident.
Miami Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah said three of the five injured people were in critical condition.
The identities of the victims were not immediately disclosed in the initial reports.
The scale of the emergency became apparent as firefighters and other first responders descended on the airport.
Fox News correspondent Madison Scarpino reported that more than 60 fire trucks were responding to the crash. Thick smoke could reportedly be seen rising from the aircraft, while videos posted on social media appeared to show flames around the wreckage.
Television footage showed numerous emergency vehicles surrounding the badly damaged aircraft.
Major Roads Near Miami International Airport Affected
The emergency wasn’t limited to the airport.
Roads surrounding Miami International also faced serious disruptions as authorities attempted to secure the area and give emergency personnel access to the crash scene.
Major highways near the airport, including Routes 826 and 836, were reportedly affected.
Reports also indicated that the cargo plane struck several vehicles after leaving the runway and skidding across the ground.
Those circumstances are expected to become an important part of the investigation as authorities attempt to determine exactly how the aircraft ended up beyond the runway.
Was Bad Weather a Factor?
One of the biggest unanswered questions is what caused the Boeing 767 to overrun the runway.
Former FAA representative Kyle Bailey told Fox News that thunderstorms were in the vicinity and that the runway appeared to have been wet at the time.
Those conditions could potentially affect an aircraft’s ability to stop.
Bailey noted that the runway involved is approximately 8,500 feet long — roughly 1.6 miles — and said rain and strong winds could create additional challenges during landing.
But it is important to emphasize that no official cause had been established in the initial reports.
Weather conditions may ultimately prove significant, but aviation investigations typically examine numerous possible factors before reaching a conclusion. Those can include aircraft performance, runway conditions, weather, crew actions, mechanical systems and flight data.
Investigation Into Miami Plane Crash Begins
Authorities are now expected to examine the aircraft wreckage and other available evidence to reconstruct the final moments before the crash.
Investigators will likely focus on why the plane was unable to stop before reaching the end of the runway and whether weather, mechanical problems or other circumstances played a role.
Until investigators release their findings, any explanation for the crash remains preliminary.
For travelers, however, the consequences were immediate.
The ground stop meant passengers traveling through Miami International Airport could face delays, cancellations and missed connections as officials dealt with the emergency.
What Happens Next at Miami International Airport?
The ground stop was an emergency safety measure following the crash, not an announcement that Miami International Airport would remain permanently closed.
Normal operations would depend on authorities determining that affected areas were safe and that emergency crews could complete their work without interfering with arriving or departing aircraft.
Passengers with upcoming flights through Miami should check directly with their airline for the latest information regarding delays, cancellations and schedule changes.
Meanwhile, attention will remain focused on the victims and on the investigation into what caused a routine cargo flight to end in tragedy.
Federal and local authorities are expected to release additional information as the investigation continues.