Miami Crash Probe Pits Cautious Investigators Against Early Blame Signals

Miami Crash Probe Pits Cautious Investigators Against Early Blame Signals
The investigation into the deadly Amazon cargo-plane crash in Miami is narrowing toward a central question: was the runway overrun driven by mechanical failure, pilot decisions, or a combination of both?

The National Transportation Safety Board is proceeding cautiously. Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders and plan to interview both pilots, while also examining runway marks, aircraft performance and the actions of air-traffic controllers. The cockpit recorder contains more than two hours of audio, but officials say its contents will not be publicly read out until after the interviews.

That restraint contrasts with the early mechanical clues. NTSB data showed no indication that the aircraft’s speed brakes or thrust reversers deployed, although the wheel brakes were applied. Investigators have declined to say whether that reflects a system failure, crew action or another problem. “I’m not going to speculate on what should have been right now,” lead investigator Chihoon Shin said.

Outside analysis places greater emphasis on the approach itself. Aviation attorney Pablo Rojas said video suggested the aircraft was “coming in too fast” and raised questions about inconsistent contact by the left landing gear. He also questioned why the pilots did not abort the landing and attempt a go-around—an issue the NTSB has not yet resolved.

A separate report, drawing on flight data, says the Amazon jet tried to abort the landing before the crash, adding a competing interpretation of the final seconds. The competing accounts share one conclusion: the evidence is incomplete. Five people on the ground died after the Boeing 767 overran the runway and struck vehicles, but investigators have not yet established whether the decisive failure was in the aircraft, the approach or the response to an unstable landing.