The trapped pilots of a plane that crashed at Miami airport, killing five people, had to be rescued while the aircraft was on fire, emergency responders said.
The Amazon Air cargo plane overshot the runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday. According to FlightRadar24, the plane came to a stop near a parking lot servicing an Amazon warehouse before bursting into flames.
Addressing reporters, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah revealed that the plane struck several vehicles as it landed.
“A couple of victims were actually trapped in the vehicles, so a complex extraction with our technical rescue team started to occur,” Jadallah said.
Jadallah continued, “In addition to that, we had a very complex fire ... including a search and rescue of the pilot and co-pilot that were trapped in this aircraft.”
Five people were killed and at least five have been injured, Jadallah confirmed, with three being left in critical condition.
An audio recording of radio communications, obtained by The Miami Herald, revealed more about the effort to rescue those involved in the crash.
“The plane is on fire,” a firefighter says. “The plane is on fire. Put your game faces on, guys.”
Fire crews can be heard gathering hoses to battle the flames, with the aircraft’s left engine still running. The pilots told firefighters that they would need to “energize” the aircraft in order to turn off the engine, forcing fire crews to flood the engine in order to disable it.
Air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News shed more light on the rescue effort.
“Looks like we have an aircraft overran the runway on 30,” someone can be heard saying. “Tower, can you show runway 30 closed for emergency aircraft, Noise 1?”
In response, someone else says: “Yes, runway 30 is closed.”
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed on Sunday that a “go team” to investigate the crash had been launched and that a media briefing would follow on Monday.
The NTSB also revealed that the Boeing 767-300 aircraft had departed from Luis Muñoz International Airport in Puerto Rico.
Kelly Nantel, a spokesperson for Amazon, confirmed that the company would fully cooperate with any upcoming investigations and stated that the airplane had been operated by 21 Air.
“We're working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation,” Nantel said.
”We're heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” Nantel continued. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
In their own statement, a spokesperson for 21 Air confirmed that the company is cooperating fully with the NTSB, the Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities.
“We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami today,” the statement reads. “Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.”
The statement continued, “Our immediate priorities are supporting those affected, assisting the authorities, and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available.”
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