MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – There was rush hour traffic on the Dolphin Expressway when an MD-82 jetliner with 126 people caught on fire during landing on Tuesday at Miami International Airport.
Rafael Medina couldn’t believe what he was seeing on the runway. The jetliner’s nose was damaged. Dark smoke billowed from a wing. The landing gear collapsed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Medina, who was feet away from the plane, recorded a video showing some of the people who were evacuating were screaming and crying. They managed to slide down.
SKY 10 recorded an aerial video showing Miami-Dade firefighters quickly using a white foam to extinguish the flames. A bus later took the passengers to the terminal where some were reunited with loved ones.
Only three people suffered minor injuries, according to Greg Chin, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department. The National Transportation Safety Board announced a team will continue to investigate on Wednesday.
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Red Air #203 from Santo Domingo had its landing gear in the nose of the plane collapse, which seems to have caused a fire. @MiamiDadeFire responded & extinguished the fire. Some flights have been delayed as a result. Please follow up with your airline for the latest flight info. pic.twitter.com/06Vs8WuqIB
— Miami Int'l Airport (@iflymia) June 21, 2022
NTSB is sending a team of investigators to Miami following today's gear collapse and runway excursion of an MD-82 jetliner at Miami International Airport. Investigators will arrive on scene tomorrow.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) June 21, 2022
#MDFR is on scene of an aircraft fire at @iflyMIA. Fire crews have placed the fire under control and are mitigating fuel spillage. All souls on board have been assessed for injuries. A total of 3 patients have been transported to local area hospitals. pic.twitter.com/hMP68ncJ4s
— Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) June 21, 2022
A plane arriving at @iflyMIA from Santo Domingo, DR caught on fire following a landing gear malfunction. I have just arrived on the scene and am being briefed by @MiamiDadeFire.
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) June 22, 2022
Three passengers were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. pic.twitter.com/VblnGmdLhq
Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Emily Hales contributed to this report.