An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport on September 6, 2026, after overshooting the runway, killing five people and injuring five others, according to multiple reports. The Boeing 767-300, traveling from San Juan, Puerto Rico, struck vehicles and caught fire, prompting a runway closure and ongoing investigations by the FAA and NTSB.
The crash occurred around 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, as the Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767-300 overshot the runway during landing, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft, which had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, collided with multiple vehicles before coming to rest near a roadway, where it ignited in flames. Emergency crews responded to the scene, with over 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units and 200 personnel involved in the operation, as reported by al.com and CBS News. The plane was operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, according to officials at a Sunday news conference.
Casualties and Immediate Response
Amazon cargo plane crashes at Miami airport, fatalities reported
The incident resulted in five fatalities and five injuries, with three victims in critical condition, according to RYT9 and dailynews.co.th. Among the injured were passengers trapped in vehicles and the pilot and co-pilot, who remained inside the aircraft. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah described the scene as “very complex,” with crews using foam and specialized firefighting units to combat the blaze, as noted by CBS News. A fuel leak at the crash site further complicated the response, prompting warnings for residents to avoid the area near 67th Avenue and 25th Street, according to CBS News. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene, as reported by Source 4.
Amazon confirmed the crash involved one of its planes and expressed “heartbreak over the deaths, with spokesperson Kelly Nantel stating, ‘Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.’ The company pledged full cooperation with the investigation, as reported by CBS News and al.com. Nantel added that their absolute priority was the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. We’re doing everything we can to support those affected.'”
Investigation and Airport Impact
The FAA issued a ground stop at Miami International Airport, closing all runways and taxiways, according to dailynews.co.th. Over 250 flights were delayed, with arrivals and departures expected to resume at a reduced rate even after the airport reopened, per al.com. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began gathering information about the crash, as noted by CBS News. The ground stop was issued around 2:30 p.m. ET and canceled after approximately three hours, though delays persisted, with an average flight delay of six and a half hours as of Sunday night, according to the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.
5 killed, 5 injured, at Miami airport after Amazon
The Boeing 767-300 involved in the crash was 32 years old and had previously operated as a passenger aircraft before being converted to cargo use in 2015, according to CBS News. This was not the first incident involving Amazon’s cargo operations; in February 2019, an Atlas Air Boeing 767-300 crashed into the Gulf of Mexico, killing three people, as mentioned by dailynews.co.th. The FAA confirmed the aircraft involved in the 2026 crash was flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 that had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to Source 1.
Ongoing Questions and Uncertainties
Authorities have not yet determined whether the five fatalities were aboard the plane or on the ground, according to CBS News. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the runway overrun, with no immediate conclusions. The crash highlights the challenges of managing air traffic at one of the busiest U.S. airports, with the FAA’s ground stop disrupting operations for several hours. While the immediate focus remains on the investigation, the event underscores the need for continued safety reviews of aircraft and runway procedures, as noted by al.com and CBS News.
Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overshoots runway in Miami, 5 dead
The aircraft came to rest in an adjacent field near the 2100 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue, according to officials, and was largely intact despite the fire. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units used specialized technical rescue personnel to extract individuals trapped in vehicles, as reported by Source 4. The FAA stated the plane had overran the runway around 2 p.m. after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and that it was gathering information
about the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board also began its investigation, with no immediate findings released.
The incident occurred at a critical time for Miami International Airport, which is one of the busiest in the nation. The closure of all runways and taxiways led to significant disruptions, with over 250 flights delayed. The FAA warned that delays were likely to persist even after the airport reopened, with arrivals and departures expected to resume at a reduced rate. The airport’s communications director, Greg Chin, confirmed that two of the airport’s runways had been reopened by Sunday night.
Amazon’s statement emphasized its commitment to supporting victims and cooperating with authorities. The company’s spokesperson, Kelly Nantel, reiterated that their absolute priority was the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. The FAA and NTSB continue to investigate the cause of the crash, with no official conclusions yet provided. The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of cargo airline safety protocols, particularly for aging aircraft like the Boeing 767-300, which has been in service for over three decades.
The crash site remained under control as of Sunday night, with no ongoing threat to public safety, according to officials. As the investigation unfolds, the aviation community and local authorities will continue to monitor developments, with a focus on ensuring the safety of air travel and emergency response procedures at major airports.
