Flight recorders recovered from Amazon cargo Boeing after Miami crash that killed five

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the Amazon cargo Boeing that overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday have been recovered and are being sent to NTSB headquarters for evaluation.

Five people were killed and five others seriously injured in the crash, NTSB said. The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air, overshot the runway shortly before 14:00 local time (19:00 BST) while arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico; two crew members were on board and it was the aircraft’s third flight of the day.

After overrunning the runway the aircraft struck navigational aids and equipment, hit a white Ford van owned by a contract cleaning company that was carrying seven people inside the airport perimeter, then breached the perimeter fence and collided with a Toyota Corolla carrying three passengers. The airplane came to rest about 1,300 ft (394 m) beyond the runway.

NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy described the scene as "devastating," saying debris from the airplane, vehicles and airport fencing was scattered across the area. She said recovering victims' bodies is the current priority and that access to the aircraft and evidence can wait.

Investigators remain in the fact‑finding stage and said it is too early to draw conclusions about the cause. They will examine flight history, crew experience and training, radar data and aircraft performance; separate teams will inspect the plane’s systems and engines, and a meteorologist will assess weather at the time of landing. NTSB will also review whether the runway should have had an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), which Homendy called a "key" element of the inquiry.

Earlier BBC Verify analysis found an active thunderstorm near the airport shortly before the crash, with winds gusting up to 26 knots. NTSB has asked the public to submit photos or videos that could assist the investigation. Two of the airport’s four runways remained closed after the crash, and passengers were warned to expect further disruption following cancellations during the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Amazon said it was "heartbroken" by the loss of life and is working closely with authorities. 21 Air expressed condolences and said it was cooperating with investigators. NTSB said it will issue safety recommendations at the end of its investigation.