Miami Cargo Plane Crash: Pilot Ignored Multiple Warnings Before Fatal Landing
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 32-year-old Boeing 767 cargo aircraft operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air overshot Miami International Airport's runway on Sunday, crashing into two vehicles and killing five people while injuring five others. Cockpit voice recordings reveal the pilot received repeated automated warnings about excessive speed and descent rate but continued the approach, with the aircraft ultimately traveling at 120 knots when aborting the landing proved futile.
Key Points
- One pilot warned "too fast" more than a minute before touchdown while automated cockpit warnings sounded, but the other pilot offered no clear response
- The aircraft descended 400 feet in just four seconds before landing, triggering five "too low terrain" warnings alongside two "sink rate sink rate" alerts
- Fifteen seconds after touchdown, a pilot called to abort the landing as the aircraft approached the runway's end traveling at 120 knots (222 km/h)
- Throttles were reduced to idle power four seconds later, with sounds indicating the plane had left the paved runway surface
- NTSB data shows no indication that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed to help slow the aircraft
Why It Matters
The crash has raised questions about pilot decision-making during unstable approaches, with safety experts questioning why the crew proceeded despite multiple warning signs. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation continues, with authorities seeking to determine whether crew training, aircraft maintenance, or other factors contributed to the tragedy that claimed five lives on the ground .
The crash has raised questions about pilot decision-making during unstable approaches, with safety experts questioning why the crew proceeded despite multiple warning signs. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation continues, with authorities seeking to determine whether crew training, aircraft maintenance, or other factors contributed to the tragedy that claimed five lives on the ground .