US investigators say the pilots of an Amazon Air cargo plane appeared to attempt a last-second go-around before the Boeing 767 overran the runway at Miami International Airport, killing five people.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said preliminary flight-data recorder findings showed the pilots increased engine power moments after the aircraft touched down, in a manoeuvre consistent with an attempt to abort the landing.
However, the aircraft never became airborne again and continued towards the end of the runway before crashing into vehicles beyond the airport boundary.
The Boeing 767, operated by Miami-based cargo carrier 21 Air on behalf of Amazon, overshot the runway by about 1,300ft (396m) on Sunday.
Five people on the ground were killed and another five were injured in the crash.
Investigators said the aircraft’s nose and right main landing gear touched down first, followed by the left main landing gear several seconds later.
The flight-data recorder showed that the brakes were initially applied before being released. The throttles were then increased to levels consistent with a standard “go-around” procedure, in which pilots abandon a landing and climb back into the air.
But about four seconds later, the brakes were applied again and the throttles were returned to idle.
The aircraft was still travelling at about 117 knots (135mph) when the recorded data ended.
Investigators also said there was no indication that the aircraft’s speed brakes or thrust reversers – systems normally used to help slow an aircraft after landing – had been deployed. (Washington Post)
The NTSB has stressed that the findings are preliminary and do not establish what caused the crash.
Both pilots survived and are expected to be interviewed by investigators as the inquiry continues. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said the investigation would examine the pilots’ actions, the aircraft’s performance, weather conditions and other possible contributing factors. (Investing.com)
The crash has also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the landing, including the aircraft’s speed and the decision-making in the final seconds of the flight.
The 32-year-old Boeing 767 was completing its third flight of the day after arriving in Miami from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Investigators are continuing to examine the wreckage and data from the aircraft’s flight and cockpit recorders. The NTSB has cautioned against drawing conclusions about responsibility or the cause of the accident until its investigation is complete.
Amazon and 21 Air have said they are cooperating with the investigation and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.
