The pilot of the Amazon cargo plane that crashed in Miami, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, issued multiple warnings about excessive speed nearly two minutes before the accident. According to cockpit recordings released by investigators on Wednesday, the pilot urged an aborted landing at the last moment. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) disclosed some information from the recordings, indicating that the second pilot did not consistently acknowledge the speed warnings.
The Amazon aircraft overshot the runway on Sunday, traveling approximately 400 meters past the runway’s end. It collided with a van carrying workers from a plane-cleaning company and a compact SUV before catching fire. The van occupants, totaling five individuals, lost their lives in the crash, with five others sustaining injuries. As of Tuesday, two individuals remained in critical condition, while both pilots survived the incident.
Former FAA official Mike O’Donnell suggested that actions could have been taken to reduce the plane’s speed when the initial speed warning was raised. These actions include extending the spoilers, reducing the throttles, lowering the landing gear, or opting for a go-around maneuver to attempt a safer landing. O’Donnell emphasized that there was ample time for the crew to address the speed issue and make a decision to ensure a safer landing.