The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, announced this Sunday a temporary suspension of flights to Miami International Airport (MIA), while emergency teams assessed the situation following the accident of a cargo plane operating for Amazon Prime Air.
"We have ordered a ground stop (temporary suspension of flights to the airport) at Miami International Airport while emergency crews assess the situation following the runway departure of an Amazon cargo plane," Duffy reported on his official account on X.
A ground stop is a air traffic control measure that temporarily keeps affected flights on the ground, preventing them from continuing to the airport while the emergency persists.
Duffy also warned travelers to expect significant disruptions while the measure remains in effect.
"If you are traveling in the area, please expect significant delays and possible cancellations,” it was noted.
The Miami International Airport itself confirmed that flight 7598 from Prime Air overshot one of its runways around 2:00 p.m. and became immobilized at the northwest end of the airport.
The terminal also reported that all of its runways and taxiways remain closed and that a total ground stop is in effect.
"Passengers with flights scheduled for today should check with their airline directly regarding the status of their flight before heading to the airport," MIA advised.
Additionally, the secretary confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will send inspectors to investigate the causes of the accident.
The FAA reported this Sunday that flight 7598 from 21 Air overshot the runway after landing at Miami International Airport around 2:00 p.m. local time.
The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300 freighter, had taken off from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The FAA will investigate, the federal agency stated, recommending to contact the airline directly for additional information.
The Boeing was operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air and ended up off the runway after landing, causing a significant mobilization of emergency services.
The first images released from the vicinity showed a huge column of black smoke rising from the area where the aircraft was located.
Subsequently, new images allowed for a more detailed observation of how the Boeing was positioned and how close the aircraft was to nearby facilities and vehicles at the airport.
The mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava, also spoke out this Sunday regarding the emergency and confirmed that the Miami-Dade Fire Department and airport teams were working at the site.
"Our focus is on everyone involved and ensuring that our first responders have what they need," said Levine Cava.
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