The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary summary regarding the cockpit voice and flight data recorder findings from the fatal crash involving an Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) "Prime Air" aircraft in Miami. The incident resulted in five fatalities and five injuries.
According to the NTSB statement released on Wednesday, the cockpit voice recordings are preliminary and subject to change. Approximately 1 minute and 42 seconds before the end of the recording, a pilot cautioned that the aircraft was "too fast" as it approached the landing zone. The report does not specify which pilot issued the warning. The other pilot reportedly made additional comments regarding the aircraft's excessive speed throughout the remainder of the recording, noting that there was no "consistent verbal response" to these reminders.
The statement also indicated that the terrain warning "too low terrain" was annunciated four times. Approximately 15 seconds before the recording ended, a pilot called for a "go-around," an attempt to abort the landing and climb away, a maneuver also noted in the flight data recordings.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the plane traveled 1,300 feet beyond the runway before colliding with two vehicles: a van belonging to a cleaning company and an SUV. The van had seven occupants inside. The involved aircraft was manufactured in 1994 and was converted into a cargo plane by a third party, Boeing confirmed to the publication. Both Amazon and Boeing stated they are supporting the ongoing investigation.
