NTSB set to interview pilots of Amazon cargo plane that crashed in Miami, killing 5 people
NTSB Set to Interview Pilots After Deadly Miami Cargo Plane Crash
Wertynews.com – The NTSB set to interview pilots involved in the Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport, where five people on the ground were killed after the aircraft went beyond the runway, struck vehicles and caught fire. Investigators are examining the landing, the aircraft’s systems and the events leading up to the impact.
The two pilots have been released from the hospital and are expected to meet with investigators Wednesday morning. Their interviews will be considered alongside evidence from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said investigators recovered more than two hours of usable cockpit audio and about 55 hours of flight-data information. The agency plans to wait until after speaking with the crew before releasing a readout from the cockpit recording.
“What we need to do is talk to the crew and get their account to understand how they're manipulating the controls to get a better understanding of the situation,” NTSB lead investigator Chihoon Shin said.
Investigators Study the Landing and Aircraft Systems
The Boeing 767-33 crashed at about 2 p.m. local time Sunday. After landing, it traveled beyond the paved runway, crossed into several vehicles and caught fire. The wreckage came to rest about 1,300 feet past the runway.
Investigators are documenting the debris field, runway tire marks, video footage and drone imagery as they reconstruct the aircraft’s approach, touchdown and movement after it left the runway. The NTSB set to interview pilots is one important part of that wider evidence-gathering effort.
Early recorder information did not show deployment of speed brakes or thrust reversers, systems that can help slow an aircraft after landing or during descent. Shin cautioned that the finding does not establish why those systems were not used or whether either system had a problem.
“With the cockpit voice recorder, while we have that data, crew accounts and crew interviews will help fill in some of the blanks for us,” Shin said.
The agency will conduct an aircraft-performance study and a full review of flight-data parameters. Investigators also plan to examine the flight’s history, crew training and experience, as well as the aircraft’s final moments before the crash.
Airport Operations and Cargo Details
Two of Miami International Airport’s four runways remained closed Tuesday as investigators worked at the scene. One runway was partially reopened for departing flights after airport officials received approval for limited use, while access to the crash area remained necessary for the investigation.
The captain, Joseph Carroll, was 55 and had accumulated 7,145 flight hours as of March 31. First officer Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, 37, had 2,655 flight hours as of Aug. 31.
The plane’s estimated takeoff weight was 252,000 pounds, including approximately 32,000 pounds of cargo. Investigators found no hazardous materials aboard; the shipment was largely contact lenses.
In addition to the crew, investigators intend to interview air traffic controllers, dispatch personnel and other witnesses. Those accounts may help establish the operational timeline and identify what was known by people supporting or monitoring the flight.
Miami Cargo Plane Crash FAQ
When will the pilots speak with investigators? The pilots are expected to be interviewed Wednesday morning after being released from the hospital.
Why are the pilot interviews important? Recorder data can show aircraft movements and system activity, while the crew may explain decisions, observations and circumstances that are not immediately clear from the recordings.
Are Miami International Airport runways open? Two of the airport’s four runways remained closed Tuesday, although one was partially reopened for departing flights under limited operations.
Has the NTSB determined the cause of the crash? No. The investigation remains underway, and officials have said they will not speculate before completing their analysis of the evidence.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NTSB set to interview pilots of Amazon?NTSB set to interview pilots of Amazon is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does NTSB set to interview pilots of Amazon matter?NTSB set to interview pilots of Amazon matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.