Heroic Rescue: Firefighters Save Trapped Pilots After Amazon Cargo Jet Crash at Miami Airport Claims Five Lives
THIS is the dramatic moment firefighters rescue trapped pilots from an Amazon cargo plane that crashed at a Miami airport, killing five people. Striking footage...
THIS is the dramatic moment firefighters rescue trapped pilots from an Amazon cargo plane that crashed at a Miami airport, killing five people.
Striking footage shows emergency workers scaling a ladder to make their way into the cockpit of the .
Firefighters scaled a ladder to reach the cockpit of the crashed plane Credit: Reuters
Firefighters use a torch to light their way inside the cockpit Credit: Reuters
Fuel spilled from the back of the aircraft as the firefighters climbed inside, lighting their way with a torch.
The at Miami International Airport and smashed into several cars.
Fires broke out on the aircraft and on the ground as the plane dragged vehicles across concrete before grinding to a halt.
People were pinned inside their cars when the plane struck them, Miami-Dade County fire chief Ray Jadallah told reporters.
The Amazon Prime Air cargo plane sits on its nose after it overshot the runway at Miami International Airport Credit: EPA
Officers from Miami’s Sheriff’s office look on at the crashed plane Credit: AP
The pilot and co-pilot were also trapped in the cockpit.
Firefighters arrived at the scene within 30 seconds of receiving the emergency call to find “heavy flames” and thick black smoke shrouding the site.
Crews were heard on dispatch shouting “the plane is on fire!” as they rushed to the scene, the Miami Herald reports.
Jadallah said “a complex extrication with our technical rescue team” was needed “including a search and rescue of the pilot and co-pilot that were trapped in this aircraft.”
Plumes of smoke clouded the air as fires erupted on the plane and on ground Credit: NBC Miami
The aircraft dragged vehicles across concrete as it skidded, leaving cars overturned Credit: Getty
At least five people have died and five others are injured after the nightmarish crash.
Three of the five people injured are in critical condition, Jadallah said.
Authorities have not yet identified the names or ages of any victims.
The plane departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico heading for Miami on Sunday when tragedy struck.
Video circulating online shows the jet skidding as flames erupted from its right engine before it came to a stop.
Images show the plane slanted at a terrifying angle, with its tail tilting up into the air and its scorched nose on the ground.
The jet’s left engine was still running, which made it dangerous for rescuers to enter the jet amid the risk of toxic gases or explosion.
Amazon issued a statement saying that it was working closely with authorities and offering condolences to the victims.
Emergency vehicles at the scene as firefighters battled the flames Credit: X
Five people were killed and five are injured following the crash Credit: Getty
According to FlightRadar24 data, no planes have left or arrived at the airport since the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration is set to launch a probe to investigate the full circumstances of the crash.
Investigators are likely to consider if the plane flew too far before touching down, experts said.
The landing zone is typically within the first 3,000 feet of a runway.
If the plane had gone past that area, aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo said it should have pulled out of the landing and gone around to try and land again.
Investigators from both the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are at the scene, with NTSB officials set to hold a news conference on the crash Monday.