The Amazon cargo plane that crashed at Miami International Airport over the weekend hit a van carrying airport workers and an SUV traveling on a road outside the airport fence as it barreled more than 1,000 feet beyond the runway, federal investigators said Monday.National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy detailed the path of destruction left by the Boeing 767 during a press conference, describing “utter devastation” as investigators began examining what caused the aircraft to overrun the runway.The Amazon Prime Air flight, operated by cargo carrier 21 Air, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, with two crew members aboard when it crashed. Homendy said the plane first struck navigational aids and other airport equipment before hitting a white Ford Econoline van belonging to a company that provides cleaning services for airlines.
“I would describe it in one word [as] devastating — utter devastation,” Homendy said. “I mean, you can see on the paved surface tire marks that continue through the grass. There’s debris everywhere. The Econoline van is torn apart … and then the vehicle itself, the SUV. You can see airbags, the surrounding airbags. You can see components from vehicles, both passenger vehicles and the aircraft itself.”After hitting the van on airport grounds, the plane then crashed through the airport fence and struck a Toyota Corolla Cross traveling outside the airport before continuing across the grass and hitting another fence. The plane ultimately traveled 1,300 feet beyond the end of the paved surface, Homendy said.An Amazon cargo plane sits at the Miami International Airport after it overshot the runway, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
