NTSB investigates deadly Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami airport
Federal investigators are examining the wreckage at Miami International Airport after an Amazon cargo plane overran a runway, killing five people in vehicles.
Federal investigators are combing through wreckage at Miami International Airport following a fiery runway overrun involving an Amazon cargo plane that claimed multiple lives and severely disrupted holiday travel. The disaster unfolded when an Amazon Prime Air cargo jet overrated the runway, plowed through airport perimeters, and struck vehicles on both sides of the fence. As the National Transportation Safety Board begins a week-long on-site probe, airport officials report lingering flight delays and cancellations across business operations.
The accident occurred on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m. Local time, according to federal officials. The aircraft, operating as Amazon Air Flight 7598, was a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 originating from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as reported by ABC News. The flight was the aircraft's third leg of the day, following earlier journeys from Cincinnati to Miami and then to Puerto Rico.
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According to NBC News, the plane overran Runway 30, slammed into navigational equipment, and struck a white Ford Econoline van belonging to Professional Ocean Service Corp., an airline cleaning contractor. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy noted that seven people were inside the cleaning crew van on airport grounds when it was hit and "torn apart." The aircraft then breached a perimeter fence, struck a Toyota Corolla Cross LE SUV traveling on Northwest 67th Avenue, and slid toward a fence line separating an area designated for Tesla robotaxis before coming to rest.
All five fatalities stemmed from the two struck vehicles, while the two crew members aboard the aircraft survived, according to updates provided by Cbs12. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed roughly 60 units and about 200 personnel to combat the complex engine fire, manage active fuel leaks, and conduct technical extractions for individuals trapped beneath debris.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 |
| Aircraft Type | Boeing 767-300 (Operated by 21 Air LLC) |
| Fatalities / Injuries | 5 killed, 5 injured |
| Overrun Distance | Approximately 1,300 feet past paved runway |
Aviation experts and federal investigators are examining multiple potential contributing factors. Keith Winters, CEO of 21 Air, stated that the company is cooperating fully with federal authorities.
Independent aviation specialists have also questioned the landing approach. Former Transportation Department Inspector General Mary Schiavo told the Associated Press that video footage appeared to show the Boeing 767 floating for an extended period above the runway without pitching the nose upward to engage landing gear promptly, potentially compounding issues if tailwinds were present. Additionally, investigators are reviewing why Miami International Airport lacks an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), though the FAA noted the airport complies with regulations by maintaining a 1,000-foot runway safety buffer.
Operational consequences at the airport remain severe. Following a three-hour ground stop on Sunday, officials reopened two of the facility's four runways, but secondary delays persisted into Monday. As reported by Local10, hundreds of flights faced cancellations and delays due to displaced aircraft and crews.
The NTSB has successfully recovered the aircraft's "black boxes" — the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder — and transported them to agency headquarters in Washington for analysis. Investigators expect to remain on the scene in Miami for at least a week to document perishable evidence, clear lingering aviation fuel, and prepare a subsequent briefing.
Federal officials have emphasized that the ongoing on-site work requires extreme caution due to active fuel hazards across the debris field. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy explained that access to the aircraft itself is secondary while recovery operations and victim identification remain the top priorities. The agency has urged the public to submit any personal photographs or video footage that could assist in reconstructing the final moments of Flight 7598.
Airlines operating through Miami International Airport have scrambled to assist stranded passengers. American Airlines instituted change fee waivers for affected itineraries, while airport customer service desks fielded thousands of inquiries from travelers facing missed connections. Airport officials continue to advise passengers to confirm their flight statuses directly with airlines before traveling to the terminal.
As the investigation enters its second phase, the NTSB has indicated that additional factual updates will be released during subsequent press briefings. Investigators will examine maintenance records, weather reports, air traffic control transcripts, and crew training procedures over the coming days. The formal determination of probable cause, however, is not expected until the completion of the multi-month investigation.
