What went wrong before an Amazon cargo jet barreled off the runway in Miami
Federal officials are investigating why an Amazon cargo jet overran a runway at Miami International Airport, striking two vehicles and killing five people. Video posted to social media shows the Boeing 767 jet was still airborne far down the runway before it touched down. Geoff Bennett discussed the questions surrounding this accident with aviation correspondent Miles O'Brien.
An Amazon cargo jet crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday, killing five people and injuring five others. Video footage shows the Boeing 767 jet already airborne far down the runway before it touched down, with its left rear landing gear not settling properly. The National Transportation Safety Board Chair, Jennifer Homendy, described the scene as "utter devastation."
Aviation correspondent Miles O'Brien noted that the aircraft was on a non-stabilized approach in challenging weather conditions, with a tailwind and crosswind component. The plane appeared to be diving for the runway at a higher speed than expected, around 185 miles per hour, causing the left wing to lift and the left landing gear to fail to touch down.
This lack of ground contact prevented the crew from deploying reverse thrust and speed brakes, leading to the aircraft leaving the runway at about 130 miles per hour into a grassy area. The FAA requires a 1,000-foot safety area beyond the runway end, but Miami International Airport did not have an engineered material arresting system (EMAS) in place, which could have further slowed down the aircraft.
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