An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport on September 6, 2026, crashing into ground traffic and resulting in at least five deaths. The aircraft, operated as 21 Air Flight 7598, broke through the airport perimeter and struck multiple vehicles before coming to a rest near Northwest 67th Avenue.
The Amazon cargo plane crash occurred shortly after the flight arrived from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to local officials, the five fatalities were primarily ground casualties located in the vehicles struck by the aircraft. Five other individuals were injured, including the pilot and co-pilot, who were initially trapped in the cockpit as the wreckage burst into flames.
Technical Details and Runway Overrun
The aircraft involved in the incident was a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 freighter with registration N1997A. The plane holds significant historical value for the company, as it was the first aircraft to receive the Amazon Prime Air livery when the service launched in 2016, famously known as “Amazon One.”
Technical landing data indicates the aircraft was traveling at approximately 112 knots (130 mph) as it exited the usable area of Runway 30. Although Runway 30 at Miami International Airport is over 9,000 feet long, the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently before reaching the end of the pavement. Air traffic control audio from the final moments of the flight suggests the pilots did not declare an emergency prior to the landing attempt.
Investigation and Airport Operations
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy arrived in Miami following the crash to lead the federal investigation. A formal media briefing is scheduled for Monday, September 7, to provide updates on the recovery of flight data recorders and the status of the investigation into the cause of the overrun.
The crash caused significant disruption to South Florida’s aviation hub. Emergency crews worked to secure the crash site and clear debris from the perimeter road. Investigators are expected to review weather conditions at the time of the landing and the mechanical state of the 32-year-old freighter as part of their probe.
