New NTSB flight data shows one of the two pilots flying an Amazon-branded cargo jet into Miami International Airport repeatedly warned — for nearly two minutes — that the plane was coming in too fast, before it overran the runway and slammed into a parking lot, killing five ground-crew members.
Why it matters: The new cockpit data points to a breakdown inside the cockpit itself, a clear and repeated verbal warning that went effectively unanswered, as investigators work to explain why none of the plane's key stopping systems engaged before it ran out of runway.
Driving the news:
The Boeing 767, operated by cargo carrier 21 Air on an Amazon Prime Air route, crashed Sept. 6 after overrunning Runway 30 at Miami International Airport and striking a parking lot containing Tesla Cybercabs.
One pilot warned the other the aircraft was "too fast" for nearly two minutes during the approach, but "never gave a consistent verbal response" to the warnings, Fox News reports, citing the NTSB.
The plane's thrust reversers and speed brakes never deployed on landing, and it touched down nearly 5,000 feet into the runway's 9,360-foot length — leaving too little room to stop.
The pilots briefly attempted a go-around, advancing the throttles, before abandoning that effort four seconds later, according to Newsmax.
By the numbers:
5 dead — all members of an airport ground crew working in the van that was struck.
5 additional people injured, including 2 in critical condition; both pilots were hurt but treated and released.
~2 minutes of verbal "too fast" warnings before touchdown.
~1,300 feet: how far past the end of the runway the plane traveled before coming to a stop.
The bottom line: The preliminary findings point to a fast, unstable approach in gusty winds and a communication breakdown between the two pilots as central to the disaster — but the NTSB says its investigation, including a full transcript of the cockpit voice recorder, is still ongoing.
Go deeper: