Cargo jet tried to abort unsteady landing before Miami crash, flight data indicates

The Amazon cargo jet that crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday resulted in the deaths of all five people inside a van used by cleaning crews to maintain the planes, according to authorities. The incident occurred when the jet overran the runway during landing and collided with the van, continuing through a fence before crashing into an SUV on a city street.

Two of those killed were in critical condition, while a third was in stable condition. The victims' ages ranged from 47 to 75. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, with a focus on the airport's lack of a system to slow or stop speeding jets. Miami is not among the 120 U.S. airports equipped with such a system, which has reportedly saved around 500 lives.

Local experts noted that even without the system, Miami's airport appears to meet federal safety standards, thanks to a 1,000-foot safety buffer at the end of its runways. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy emphasized the need to implement these recommendations to prevent future tragedies. The five killed were all employees of Professional Ocean Service Corp., a plane-cleaning company.

The company declined to comment on the crash, expressing their condolences to the families affected. The Amazon jet, which had just landed from a two-hour flight from Puerto Rico, continued roughly 1,300 feet beyond the runway's end. NTSB Chairwoman Homendy described the scene as "utter devastation," noting the presence of jet fuel, destroyed navigational equipment, and fencing.

Strong winds over 25 knots were reported on Saturday, contributing to concerns about the pilot's decision to continue the landing despite the strong tailwind.