Five people died when an Amazon cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport on September 6, 2026. Operated by 21 Air as Prime Air Flight 7598, the Boeing 767 crashed into a field, striking vehicles and sparking a major emergency response that temporarily shut down the airport.
Crash Sequence and Ground Impact at Miami International
The aircraft, a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 originally built for passenger service before conversion to cargo in 2015, overran the diagonal runway at approximately 1:58 p.m. Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz reported that the plane came to rest in a field adjacent to the facility, with its tail extending over a fence. Footage captured heavy black smoke billowing from the aircraft as it rested on its belly near a roadway, where it struck vehicles.
Miami-Dade officials confirmed during a late afternoon news conference that five people were killed in the disaster. Three others sustained critical injuries, while two additional individuals were hospitalized with less severe conditions. Rescue crews noted that some victims were trapped inside vehicles caught in the impact zone.
Emergency Response and Airport Shutdown
More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units rushed to the scene, encountering active flames engulfing the right wing of the cargo aircraft. Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah noted that both the pilot and co-pilot were trapped in the plane during the initial response. Firefighters spent hours working to extinguish the blaze and mitigate a hazardous fuel leak leaking from the disabled aircraft.
The Miami-Dade Aviation Department ordered a total shutdown of all airport operations, declaring that all runways and taxiways at MIA were currently closed as of 3:00 p.m. The Federal Aviation Administration enforced a strict ground stop that lasted into the evening, prompting Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to warn travelers of significant delays and potential cancellations across the regional transit network. Flight tracking data indicated roughly 275 delays and 86 cancellations by late afternoon, though the Miami Herald reported that airport authorities initiated partial runway reopenings around 5:00 p.m.
Flight Origin and Corporate Response
Flight 7598 originally departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Although branded as Amazon Prime Air, the flight was operated under contract by North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air.
Kelly Nantel, Amazon spokesperson, stated that it was a fast-moving situation and they were still gathering details, adding that they were working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened, that their absolute priority at the moment was the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved, and that they were doing everything they could to support those affected.
Federal Investigation and Precedent
The Federal Aviation Administration announced it would lead a full inquiry into the mechanics of the overrun. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board deployed a dedicated investigative team to Miami led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy.
As federal investigators begin examining flight data recorders and runway conditions, aviation authorities have not yet released preliminary determinations regarding weather factors or mechanical failure.
