Federal authorities are investigating the crash of an Amazon Air Boeing after it overran a runway at Miami International Airport in Florida, striking cars and killing five people.
The plane, operated by 21 Air, overran a runway at Miami International Airport at about 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Five people were killed, and five were taken to a hospital.
Federal authorities released summary of cockpit voice recorder
The National Transportation Safety Board, a federal agency charged with "investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States," according to chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, opened an investigation into the incident.
A Sept. 9 release by the NTSB provides a "summary of select events" captured on the cockpit voice recorder during the final few
minutes of the recording.
According to the summary, after the flight crew checked in with Miami tower and were cleared to land on runway 30, one pilot cautioned that they "were too fast," and "made additional comments regarding the aircraft's excessive speed throughout the remainder of the recording."
There "was not a consistent verbal response to the comments about speed," according to the summary. A pilot also called for a "go-around," in which a pilot "discontinues the landing approach and returns the aircraft to an altitude and configuration to safely make another approach," according to the Federal Aviation Administration, before the recording ended.
Homendy said that the organization had "questions for the pilots" during a Sept. 8 press conference.
After scheduled interviews, Homendy said, the organization could "hopefully supplement what we see in the cockpit voice recorder."
During the same press conference, Chihoon Shin, investigator in charge, said that there was "no indication in the recorded data that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed."
However, Shin said that he wouldn't "speculate about what should have been," and that an aircraft performance study was necessary.
"Plus, with the flight data recorder analysis, when we analyze the full list of parameters, we'll have a better idea of the aircraft performance during this landing," Shin said. "Was it normal, was it not, and what was working and what was not."
What happened during the crash?
According to Homendy, it was the aircraft's third flight that day. It flew from Cincinnati to Miami, from Miami to San Juan, and then crashed upon returning to Miami from San Juan. The plane overran the runway, and "struck navigational aids and equipment, then impacted a 2012 white Ford Econoline van."
The van was owned by Professional Ocean Service Corp., "a contract cleaning company for the airlines." There were seven people in the van, according to Homendy, and after the plane "traveled through a perimeter fence," it hit a Toyota Corolla that was driving along Northwest 67th Avenue.
Overall, the plane was about 1,300 feet "past the paved surface."
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office released the names of those who were hurt and killed in the crash.
Five people were killed in the crash. Among them, Rolando Aleman Leon, 55, Yoel Rodriguez Narajo, 53, Julio C. Pineda, 75, Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53 and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
Several people were injured. Eugenio Corredor, 79, was in the sedan and is in critical condition. Ridoel Averhoff Diaz, 32, was in the van and is in critical condition. Roosevelt Sebastian Perdomo Torres, 36, was in the van and is in stable condition. Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, 37 and a pilot, was released with minor injuries. Joseph Carol, 55 and a pilot, was released with minor injuries.
"The recovery of victims is most important," she said. "The investigation and access to the aircraft, as well as evidence, can wait."
Homendy said the site of the crash was "devastating."
"Utter devastation. I mean, you can see, on the paved surface, tire marks that continue through the grass," she said. "There's debris everywhere. The Econoline van is torn apart. It certainly must have been devastating."
21 Air said it was "cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and local authorities."
"Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives," their statement reads. "Our immediate priorities are supporting those affected, assisting the authorities, and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available."
Kelly Nantel, a spokesperson for Amazon, said the company would "fully cooperate with them and support any other investigating authorities and we’ll also continue to coordinate with 21 Air, which operated the flight."
"Amazon leaders are also meeting with local officials, first responders, and others in the community to offer our support," read the statement.
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NTSB releases summary of cockpit recording from Amazon crash in Florida
