An Amazon cargo aircraft crashed at Miami International Airport in Florida on Sunday afternoon after overshooting the runway while arriving from Puerto Rico. The Boeing 767, operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air, struck several vehicles before catching fire, leaving five people dead and five others injured.
The crash brought operations at one of the busiest airports in the United States to a standstill as emergency crews responded to the burning aircraft.
The aircraft was a Boeing 767-300 cargo plane operating Amazon Air Flight 7598. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before overrunning the runway at Miami International Airport at around 2pm local time on Sunday, September 6.
The impact triggered a major emergency response. The aircraft erupted into flames, sending heavy columns of dark smoke into the sky. Miami-Dade rescue fire chief Ray Jadallah said the pilot and copilot were trapped inside the cockpit following the crash.
The aircraft eventually came to rest disabled at the north-west end of the airport after running off the airport’s diagonal runway.
Amazon confirms five fatalities
Amazon confirmed that the aircraft involved in the accident was operated by 21 Air and released an updated statement after authorities confirmed the deaths.
“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss. The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred. We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation,” said Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson.
In an earlier statement, Amazon said it had confirmed that an Amazon Air aircraft operated by 21 Air had been involved in an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport.
“This is a fast-moving situation and we’re still gathering details. We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened. Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. We’re doing everything we can to support those affected,” the company said.
The number of casualties was later confirmed by Miami-Dade County officials.
At a news conference on Sunday, Miami-Dade mayor Daniella Levine Cava said five people had been killed and another five injured. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed that ten people in total were involved in the incident.
Of those injured, three were in critical condition, while two others were transported to a local hospital.
Jadallah described the accident as a “very complex situation”, explaining that the aircraft crashed into multiple vehicles after running off the tarmac. Several people became trapped inside their vehicles as a result of the collision.
FAA and NTSB launch investigations
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assembled a team to investigate the crash, the agency confirmed in a social media post on Sunday evening.
The FAA also confirmed the accident in a statement, saying: “21 Air Flight 7598 overran the runway after landing at Miami International Airport around 2 pm local time on Sunday, September 6. The Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The FAA will investigate.”
Videos shared online showed large plumes of smoke rising around the aircraft, which was identifiable by the Amazon arrow logo displayed on its tail.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, unconfirmed reports indicated that there could have been casualties, although details concerning the number of injuries and fatalities were initially unclear.
The investigation will now focus on the circumstances surrounding the runway overrun and the events leading up to the aircraft leaving the runway.
Miami airport operations suspended
The accident caused a major disruption at Miami International Airport.
An air and ground stop was issued, preventing other aircraft from landing or departing from the South Florida hub. According to the airport, all runways and taxiways were closed from 3pm.
“Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has responded to the scene,” the airport said.
Fire crews continued dealing with a fuel leak from the aircraft several hours after the crash, according to Jadallah.
The scale of the emergency response was significant. More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units were deployed to the scene, where crews found an aircraft that had caught fire following the crash, with heavy flames and smoke visible.
The fire department also confirmed that the aircraft had struck multiple vehicles near the airport.
Hundreds of flights affected
The airport disruption quickly spread to scheduled operations.
Approximately 250 flights were delayed at the airport by late Sunday afternoon, according to FlightAware, which tracks flight disruptions.
The runway and taxiway closures, combined with the ground stop, left airlines and airport teams managing significant operational consequences while emergency crews continued working at the crash site.
The incident occurred at one of the busiest airports in the United States and involved a major cargo aircraft operating within Amazon’s air logistics network.
TIACA follows the investigation
The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) said it was closely monitoring developments following the crash at Miami International Airport.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected. We are also grateful to the first responders, airport teams and emergency personnel working at the scene.
“We stand with our colleagues and friends and will continue to follow official updates closely,” the association said.
The FAA and NTSB investigations are expected to establish the circumstances that caused the Boeing 767-300 to overrun the runway. Authorities will also examine the collision with multiple vehicles, the subsequent fire and the circumstances surrounding the five fatalities and five reported injuries.
