Quick Summary
- Five people died when an Amazon Air cargo aircraft overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday
- Prime Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 operated by 21 Air, was inbound from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- The aircraft collided with several vehicles after leaving the runway and erupted in flames
- Five more individuals sustained injuries, with three listed in critical condition
- Federal authorities including the FAA and NTSB have initiated crash investigations
A cargo aircraft operating for Amazon Air overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, resulting in at least five fatalities and five additional injuries.
The incident involved a Boeing 767-300 freighter, designated as Prime Air Flight 7598 and operated by 21 Air. The aircraft was completing a flight from Luis MuƱoz MarĆn International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico when it failed to stop on the runway at approximately 2 p.m.
After departing the runway, the cargo jet collided with several ground vehicles in the vicinity of the airport. Emergency responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue encountered intense flames and heavy smoke upon reaching the crash site.
Multiple occupants became trapped inside vehicles that were struck by the aircraft. Emergency crews deployed 60 fire units to the location, with initial responders arriving within half a minute of receiving the emergency call.
Fire Rescue chief Ray Jadallah characterized the situation as “a very complex fire,” noting that engine compartments were engulfed in flames while crews worked to extract the pilot and co-pilot who remained trapped inside the aircraft.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava verified that five individuals lost their lives and five sustained injuries. Among the injured, three remain in critical condition, while two others were admitted to hospitals with less severe trauma.
Airport operations were completely suspended as of 3 p.m., with all runways and taxiways shut down. Within several hours, operations partially resumed with at least two runways returning to service.
Statements from Amazon and 21 Air
Amazon acknowledged the crash through an official statement released on X. Company spokesperson Kelly Nantel indicated that Amazon is coordinating closely with local officials and emphasized that the organization’s “absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved.”
21 Air, a cargo carrier based in Miami, has been flying Boeing 767-300 freighters for Amazon operations since 2024. The company did not provide responses to media inquiries regarding the incident.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy advised passengers to anticipate disruptions, including delays and potential flight cancellations, due to the airport closure.
Federal Probes Launched
The Federal Aviation Administration announced it would conduct an investigation into the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board has also initiated its own inquiry and scheduled a press briefing for Monday.
Initial reports indicated that an active fuel leak from the crashed aircraft was being actively contained by emergency personnel.
Records show the aircraft had been in service for over 32 years, with its maiden flight occurring in June 1994. Prior to its cargo conversion in 2016, the plane flew for Air Europa, Kenya Airways, and Atlas Air.
Boeing has discontinued commercial production of the 767 model, though limited manufacturing continues for military aerial refueling variants.
Aviation experts are drawing parallels between this incident and the UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crash in November 2025, which resulted in three crew fatalities and 11 ground casualties following departure from Louisville.
The Boeing 767 represents the core of Amazon’s cargo aviation operations, comprising the majority of the company’s air fleet. Amazon also utilizes Airbus A330-300 freighters and smaller Boeing 737 aircraft for shorter regional flights.
The underlying cause of Sunday’s runway overrun remains undetermined pending ongoing federal investigations.
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