Crash Data Indicates Pilots Were Hesitant to Land

Investigators are seeing signs that the pilots of the cargo jet that tore off a Miami runway Sunday briefly thought about aborting the landing. Early data from the Boeing 767's flight recorder indicates brakes were applied seven seconds after touchdown, then released eight seconds later as engine power was increased to levels consistent with a "go-around" maneuver, where a pilot abandons the landing attempt and returns to the air, reports the Washington Post. Another four seconds later, however, the brakes were reapplied and the throttle moved to idle.

The Amazon-branded plane, operated by 21 Air and arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, then barreled 1,300 feet beyond the 9,360-foot runway, crossing roads, and hitting vehicles, killing five people in a van used to transport plane-cleaning crews. Five others were injured, including both pilots, who have since been released from the hospital. Federal officials say there's no sign speed brakes or thrust reversers were used to slow the plane. They declined to make conclusions based on the flight data before speaking with the pilots, which they are scheduled to do Wednesday. Details from the cockpit voice recorder will come after the interviews, per Reuters.