Key Points
- Five fatalities confirmed after Amazon Air cargo aircraft overran runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday
- Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 operated by 21 Air, was inbound from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Aircraft collided with ground vehicles after departing runway, igniting a massive fire
- Five individuals sustained injuries, with three reported in critical condition
- Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have initiated full investigations
A cargo aircraft operating under Amazon Air’s banner overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, resulting in at least five deaths and five additional injuries.
The incident involved Prime Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 freighter operated by contract carrier 21 Air. The aircraft was completing its journey from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico when it failed to stop on the runway at approximately 2 p.m.
After exiting the runway, the cargo jet collided with several ground vehicles in the vicinity of the airport. Emergency responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue encountered significant flames and dense smoke upon their arrival.
Multiple individuals became trapped within the vehicles impacted by the aircraft. The emergency response mobilized 60 fire units, with first responders reaching the crash site within half a minute of receiving the emergency call.
Fire Chief Ray Jadallah of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue characterized the situation as “a very complex fire,” noting that engine compartments were engulfed in flames while rescue teams worked to extract the pilot and co-pilot who remained trapped inside the cockpit.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade County verified the death toll of five individuals, with an additional five sustaining injuries. Among the wounded, three remain in critical condition, while two others were admitted to hospitals with injuries of lesser severity.
Miami International Airport implemented a complete shutdown of all runways and taxiways starting at 3 p.m. Operations partially resumed several hours afterward, with at least two runways returning to service.
Statements from Amazon and Contract Carrier
Amazon acknowledged the accident through an official statement published on X. Company spokesperson Kelly Nantel emphasized that the organization is collaborating extensively with local officials and that “the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved” remains their foremost concern.
21 Air, headquartered in Miami and operating Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft, has provided services for Amazon since 2024. Company representatives have not yet responded to media inquiries regarding the incident.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy advised passengers to anticipate disruptions and potential cancellations due to the airport closure.
Federal Probe Launched
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board has similarly deployed investigators and announced plans for a press briefing scheduled for Monday.
Initial reports indicated an active fuel leak from the damaged aircraft, which emergency crews were working to contain.
Records show the Boeing 767 involved in the crash was manufactured over three decades ago, entering service in June 1994. The aircraft’s operational history includes service with Air Europa, Kenya Airways, and Atlas Air before undergoing conversion to cargo configuration in 2016.
Boeing discontinued commercial production of the 767 passenger variant, though limited manufacturing continues for military aerial refueling tankers.
Aviation experts are drawing parallels to the UPS Airlines Flight 2976 disaster in November 2025, which resulted in three crew fatalities and 11 ground casualties following departure from Louisville.
The Boeing 767 constitutes the backbone of Amazon’s air cargo operations, representing the majority of its fleet composition. The e-commerce giant supplements its 767 fleet with Airbus A330-300 freighters for long-haul routes and smaller Boeing 737 aircraft serving regional destinations.
Investigators have not yet determined what caused Sunday’s runway overrun as the inquiry progresses.
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