NTSB: Amazon cargo jet pilots attempted go-around before fatal Miami crash

Flight data reveals go-around attempt

Federal investigators examining the fatal crash of an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane at Miami International Airport reported that the flight crew appeared to attempt an aborted landing. The 32-year-old Boeing 767-300, operated by Miami-based cargo carrier 21 Air, arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday afternoon before overrunning the runway. Data retrieved from the flight data recorder indicates the pilots initially engaged the wheel brakes after landing, but then released them and increased engine power. Aviation consultant Steven Arroyo, a retired United Airlines pilot, explained the procedural anomaly of changing course on the runway.

You either land or you go around. You don't land, attempt to go around, and then get back to landing again, unless there was some mechanical malfunction.

Sequence of the final thirty seconds

National Transportation Safety Board lead investigator Chihoon Shin presented a timeline covering the final 30 seconds recorded by the flight data system. The aircraft touched down on its nose landing gear and right-side main landing gear at nearly 182 miles per hour, an approach speed faster than standard recommendations. The crew applied the brakes seven seconds later, followed four seconds afterward by the left-side main landing gear making contact with the pavement. Eight seconds after initial braking, the pilots released the brakes and advanced the throttles to power levels consistent with a go-around maneuver. Four seconds later, the throttles were pulled back to idle and braking resumed while the plane was moving at 117 knots (about 135 miles per hour). The recorder stopped 11 seconds later when electrical power was severed upon impact.

Path of destruction and ground casualties

The cargo jet traveled 1,300 feet (about 396 meters) beyond the end of the 9,360-foot runway. It crossed an open grassy area, broke through a perimeter fence, and traversed a public roadway before stopping near a parking lot. Along its path, the aircraft struck a white Ford Econoline van carrying airport cleaning workers, as well as a Toyota SUV on the roadway. All five fatalities were passengers inside the van, employed by contractor Professional Ocean Service Corporation. The victims were identified by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office as Rolando Aleman Leon (55), Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo (53), Julio C. Pineda (75), Carlos Acosta Fajardo (53), and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo (47). Five other individuals were injured, including three hospitalised victims and the two pilots.

It is an incredibly tragic incident. You leave your house to go to work, visit your family, or do what we normally do, without ever thinking that something like this could happen.

Federal inquiry and mechanical findings

The safety board confirmed that neither speed brakes nor thrust reversers were deployed during the landing roll. Both pilots, identified by local authorities as Jaime Felipe Silva Molina (37) and Joseph Carol (55), were treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. Safety board chair Jennifer Homendy announced that investigators scheduled formal interviews with both flight crew members for Wednesday. Investigators are also preparing to review transcripts from the cockpit voice recorder to establish why the crew altered throttle inputs and brake applications in the final seconds.