In brief
A Boeing 767‑300 operated by 21 Air crashed into a run‑way at Miami International Airport on Sunday, killing five people and injuring five others. Investigators have recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, sending them to NTSB headquarters for analysis. The NTSB chairman stress relief of victims remains the top priority, with evidence collection and probing of operational factors set to follow. An active thunderstorm and winds up to 26 knots were noted near the airport moments before the incident. Authorities urge the public to share any photos or videos that could assist the investigation.
A Boeing 767‑300 flying for 21 Air departed San Juan late on Saturday and attempted to land at Miami International Airport at 2:05 pm local time. The aircraft overshot the runway, crashing near the airport perimeter and striking two vehicles— a cleaning van with seven people and a Toyota Corolla with three passengers— before coming to rest 1,300 ft beyond the runway curb.
Five passengers aboard were declared dead on arrival and five others suffered serious injuries. The incident occurred during the busy Labor Day weekend, a peak travel period for the U.S., causing significant disruption across Miami’s runways.
Recorders in Reach – The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were located by recovery crews in the wreckage and are now in transit to NTSB headquarters for detailed evaluation. While investigators cannot yet specify the cause, they are compiling flight history, crew training records, radar data, aircraft performance logs, and weather reports from the time of landing.
NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy emphasized that the immediate priority is recovery of victims’ bodies and support for first responders. She noted that further investigation into runway safety features, including the potential need for an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), will play a key role once evidence is adequately analyzed.
Bay‑storm conditions were flagged by early analysis – a thunderstorm across the airport area with gusting winds up to 26 knots. Yet the NTSB awaits more data before drawing conclusions.
Anyone who viewed the crash scene on the grounds of the airport, or who captured images or video, is urged to contact the NTSB with their material. Public submissions of photographs, footage or even eyewitness outlines are vital to the ongoing investigation.
View full footage of the crash and reach out to the NTSB with any supplemental data.
