Five killed after Amazon Air Boeing 767 overruns runway at Miami airport

Five people were killed and five others injured after a Boeing 767 freighter operating for Amazon Air overran a runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday. The freighter ploughed into vehicles beyond the runway before catching fire.

Three of the injured were in critical condition. Emergency crews rescued people trapped in vehicles struck by the aircraft, while the two pilots were trapped inside the freighter after it came to rest near the north-western end of the airport. More than 200 emergency personnel responded to the crash.

The aircraft, operating as 21 Air Flight 7598 on behalf of Amazon, had flown from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and overran Miami’s diagonal runway shortly before 2pm local time.

FAA launches investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in its initial statement said the Boeing 767-300 had overrun the runway after landing and confirmed it would investigate.

21 Air Flight 7598 overran the runway after landing at Miami International Airport around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, Sept. 6. The Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The FAA will investigate. Contact the…

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) September 6, 2026

Flight tracking data showed the freighter was travelling at 112 knots, or about 129mph, when it left the usable runway. The aircraft came to rest close to a car park serving an Amazon warehouse and other businesses.

Light thunderstorms and gusting winds were reported around Miami at the time, although investigators have not determined whether weather played any role in the accident.

Photographs from the scene showed the aircraft badly damaged, with its nose on the ground and tail raised. Firefighters extinguished the main blaze but were still dealing with a fuel leak later on Sunday.

🚨 Update: Deadly Cargo Plane Crash at Miami International Airport

At least five people have died and five others were injured after an Amazon Prime Air cargo aircraft overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, striking multiple vehicles and bursting… pic.twitter.com/6XLpT6mVaP

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 7, 2026

The cause of the runway excursion is not yet known.

Amazon “heartbroken” by the loss of life

Amazon confirmed that the aircraft was being operated for its air network by 21 Air.

“We can confirm that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport today. This is a fast-moving situation and we’re still gathering details,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said.

"We can confirm that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport today. This is a fast-moving situation and we're still gathering details. We're working closely with local authorities and officials to…

— Amazon News (@amazonnews) September 6, 2026

“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.”

Amazon subsequently confirmed the five deaths, with Nantel saying the company was “heartbroken” by the loss of life and would cooperate fully with the investigation.

21 Air also expressed condolences to the families of those killed and said it would support the government investigation.

The scale of the emergency response reflected the unusual nature of the accident. Unlike many runway excursions in which an aircraft remains within the airport boundary, Flight 7598 struck vehicles on the ground.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reached the accident within 30 seconds.

“Five precious lives lost with three in critical condition after today’s Amazon Prime Cargo Plane crash at Miami International Airport. Prayers and deepest condolences for all families and loved ones involved,” she said.

Five precious lives lost with three in critical condition after today’s Amazon Prime Cargo Plane crash at Miami International Airport. Prayers and deepest condolences for all families and loved ones involved. Thank you to our amazing Miami Dade Fire Rescue Department who… pic.twitter.com/FCxuv6yyna

— Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins (@DanCohenHiggins) September 6, 2026

“Thank you to our amazing Miami Dade Fire Rescue Department who responded within 30 seconds.”

Cohen Higgins said local officials, including the mayor, sheriff and fire chief, were at the command centre along with representatives of the FAA.

“I look forward to a full and thorough investigation on today’s tragedy,” she added.

The airport initially halted flights after the crash as emergency crews worked at the scene. Operations began recovering later on Sunday, with two of Miami International’s four runways reopening.

The disruption came during the Labor Day weekend, one of the busiest periods for US air travel. Miami is also a major freight gateway: the airport describes itself as the busiest US airport for international freight.

NTSB sends investigators to Miami

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation and dispatched a team to Miami, led by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy.

The agency identified the accident as a runway excursion involving a Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft operating as 21 Air Flight 7598 from San Juan to Miami. Homendy will be the NTSB board member on scene, with the agency due to hold its first media briefing on Monday.

The FAA is investigating alongside the NTSB.

The aircraft itself was 32 years old. According to Flightradar24, the 767-300 began life as a passenger aircraft in 1994 and flew for several airlines before being converted for freight operations.

Amazon’s air network now has more than 100 aircraft

Amazon does not operate its cargo network like a conventional airline with all its aircraft flown by its own crews.

Amazon Air Cargo describes itself as an indirect air carrier, with flights conducted by partner airlines. Its current list of operators includes ATI, ABX, 21 Air, Sun Country, Hawaiian Airlines, Cargojet, ASL and Quickjet.

The network has grown to more than 100 aircraft operating more than 250 flights each day, seven days a week, according to Amazon. Those flights serve North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America and Asia.