A witness who saw an Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport on Sunday called it a “traumatizing experience.” The Boeing 767-300, operating as Prime Air Flight 7598, overshot the runway shortly after landing, struck multiple vehicles, and burst into flames. Five people died and five others were injured, including three in critical condition.
What Happened at Miami International Airport
Authorities said the plane had just arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it went off the runway around 2 p.m. local time. The aircraft, operated by 21 Air for Amazon’s Prime Air network, overran the runway at Miami International Airport (MIA), slammed into vehicles near the airfield, and quickly erupted in fire.
The crash shut down runways at one of the busiest airports in the United States, causing major delays and grounding flights while emergency crews worked the scene.
Witness Describes a “Horrific” Moment
Romierkys Rodriguez, a truck driver working nearby, said he saw the plane come down and felt the explosion.
“A horrific accident, we were there at the yard, and then out of nowhere we just, we could see a plane just coming down and just hear the boom, the explosion that happened, you could feel the shake, you could see the smoke coming out, the flames, just felt like a couple of feet away from us,” Rodriguez said. “A really horrific, traumatizing experience.”
He added that the scene turned chaotic within seconds. “Everything just went chaotic as soon as the plane fell, people all around, smoke everywhere, it’s a horrific experience. I couldn’t get close enough because we were scared that the plane was going to blow up.”
Rodriguez said the plane appeared to come dangerously close to where he and others were working. “You can imagine that plane could have been falling right on top of us.”
Mayor Felt the Blast From Blocks Away
Virginia Gardens Mayor Spencer Deno said he felt the crash from his home.
“Well, it was a little different than thunder and lightning. I felt it, my house shook, and I went and asked my wife, ‘did you feel that?’ She thought it was thunder or lightning. But I said, ‘no, that was a little different,’” Deno said. “It was a big boom. And about a minute or two later, I started hearing sirens. So I figured maybe it was a bad accident or some kind of explosion.”
When he drove toward the area, he saw clear signs of a major crash. “As soon as I got to Perimeter Road, I could see the tail of the plane sticking up and some of the white smoke coming up.”
Casualties and Trapped Victims
Officials confirmed that five people were killed and five others were injured. Three of the injured are in critical condition. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or said whether they were on the plane or in the vehicles that were struck.
Emergency responders said the pilot and copilot were trapped in the cockpit for a time. Some people in the vehicles hit by the plane were also trapped before crews could free them.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash. Investigators are expected to review flight data, cockpit voice recordings, air traffic control communications, weather conditions, and runway conditions at the time of the accident.
Officials have not yet said what may have caused the plane to overrun the runway. Factors under review in cases like this can include mechanical issues, braking performance, runway surface conditions, weather, and pilot actions during landing.
Impact on Airport Operations
The crash forced Miami International Airport to close runways and halt operations for several hours. Passengers faced delays and cancellations as the airport worked to clear the scene and conduct safety checks. Airlines operating out of MIA advised travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Cargo operations were also disrupted. The aircraft was part of Amazon’s air freight network, which moves packages between hubs across the U.S. and Latin America.
Emotional Toll on Witnesses
For people who saw or heard the crash, the event left a deep emotional impact. Rodriguez said he and others nearby were shaken. “Right now we’re a little bit traumatized, not feeling too good,” he said.
Local residents described a loud boom followed by sirens and smoke rising near the airport perimeter. For many, the sight of a large cargo jet on fire just off the runway was a shocking and unforgettable scene.
What Comes Next
In the days ahead, investigators will work to piece together the final moments of the flight and determine what led to the runway overrun. Their findings will help shape safety recommendations for cargo operators, airports, and regulators.
For the families of the victims and the injured, the focus will be on recovery and answers. For witnesses like Rodriguez, the memory of the explosion, smoke, and flames will linger as one of the most intense moments of their lives.
