Five people died and five others were injured when an Amazon Air cargo flight operated by 21 Air overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The Boeing 767-300 crashed through a perimeter road and struck multiple vehicles, sparking a massive emergency response.
The Fatal Overrun and Airport Paralysis
The incident unfolded around 2:00 p.m. local time on September 6, 2026, when Flight 7598 of 21 Air failed to stop within the boundaries of the runway. The cargo aircraft, a Boeing 767-300 operating for Amazon Prime Air, had just completed a journey from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Instead of coming to a halt on the tarmac, the aircraft overran the runway edge, plowed across a roadway with moderate traffic, and slammed into multiple vehicles near the northeastern perimeter of the airfield. The impact triggered an intense fire, sending a thick plume of black smoke billowing into the sky above the busy transportation hub.
The Federal Aviation Administration immediately ordered a ground stop, shutting down all arrivals and departures at Miami International Airport. The emergency crippled operations during the busy Labor Day travel weekend, one of the most heavily traveled periods in the United States.
Emergency Rescue and Casualties
More than 60 units and roughly 200 emergency personnel from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue rushed to the scene to battle the roaring blaze and treat the wounded.
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz confirmed during a press conference that five people died in the crash. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava reported that another five individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to area hospitals. Among the injured, three victims remained in critical condition.
Rescue operations proved hazardous. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah stated that the pilot and copilots were trapped inside the cockpit, while other occupants remained pinned inside crushed automobiles along the roadway. Firefighters also had to extricate a person trapped underneath a vehicle.
Investigating the Landing Sequence
Federal regulators and safety investigators immediately launched inquiries into the mechanics of the approach. The National Transportation Safety Board sent an investigation team headed by its chair, Jennifer Homendy, to examine the wreckage.
Aviation experts analyzing publicly available footage pointed to potential anomalies in the aircraft’s touchdown point. Experts noted that video evidence appeared to show the Boeing 767 remaining in the air well advanced over the runway before touching land.
Investigators plan to scrutinize aircraft speed, braking systems, wind conditions, and maintenance logs. While weather reports indicated strong gusts of wind and storm conditions in the area at the time of the landing, officials have not yet determined whether meteorological factors caused the overrun.
Corporate Response from Amazon
Amazon released official statements addressing the tragedy, confirming that the flight belonged to its logistics network but was flown by a third-party carrier. Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, issued statements acknowledging the loss of life.
Kelly Nantel, Amazon spokesperson, stated that they were heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport.
The company emphasized that its immediate priority was the safety and well-being of all those affected. Corporate representatives stated that Amazon is working in close cooperation with local authorities and federal agencies to determine the precise sequence of events.
Next Steps in the Federal Investigation
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration will lead the formal inquiry in the coming days, with findings expected to shed light on pilot communications, braking performance, and air traffic control coordination during the final approach.
