A tragic incident at Miami International Airport saw an Amazon cargo plane overrun the runway, resulting in at least five fatalities and five injuries as it struck vehicles and caught fire. The Prime Air Flight, operated by 21 Air, departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and its crash led to significant airport disruptions, including numerous flight cancellations and delays. Authorities, including the NTSB, have launched an investigation into the cause, with initial observations suggesting the aircraft may have “floated” too long on approach.
A catastrophic incident unfolded at Miami International Airport on a recent Sunday, when an Amazon cargo plane veered off the runway, resulting in at least five fatalities and five injuries as it collided with several vehicles before erupting in flames. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Prime Air Flight 7598, operated by 21 Air, overran the runway upon landing around 2 p.m. ET, having departed earlier from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. An image from the scene depicts an Amazon cargo plane after it crashed at Miami International Airport on Sept. 06, 2026, crediting Joe Raedle via Getty Images.
The aircraft, a 32-year-old Boeing 767, which was converted from passenger service to cargo in 2015, ploughed through an area adjacent to the airport used by warehouse personnel and various businesses. Miami-Dade County officials reported five confirmed deaths, three individuals critically injured, and two others hospitalized with less severe wounds during a news conference following the tragic event.
The scene was one of chaos, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah stated that the pilot and copilot were initially trapped in the cockpit, and several occupants were also ensnared within their vehicles after the plane's impact. Emergency crews faced the grim task of extricating a person from beneath a vehicle.
This major aviation disaster brought flights at the bustling Miami travel hub to a standstill for much of the afternoon. Approximately 200 emergency responders descended on the site, where they encountered intense flames and heavy smoke emanating from a complex engine compartment fire. Firefighters deployed specialized foam from airport firefighting units to bring the blaze under control, though crews continued to address a persistent fuel leak from the aircraft hours after the initial crash.
Images from the scene depicted the Prime Air plane resting on its belly beside a roadway, near two semi-trucks. Despite the significant fire, the aircraft appeared largely intact. The precise cause of the crash remains undetermined, and investigators are yet to confirm if adverse weather conditions played a role. However, the National Weather Service recorded thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 30 mph (48 kph) in the vicinity at the time of the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) promptly announced it was dispatching an investigation team to Miami, led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, to ascertain the circumstances leading to the overrun. Amazon expressed profound sadness over the incident, stating, "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," and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The event draws parallels to a UPS plane crash last year at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport, where a plane lost an engine during takeoff, killing all three pilots and 12 people on the ground, with 23 others injured.
Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo, a retired United Airlines pilot, highlighted critical questions for the investigation, particularly whether the Amazon plane landed within the runway's required touchdown zone—typically the first 3,000 feet (914 meters). Arroyo questioned why, if the aircraft landed beyond this zone, pilots didn't initiate a "go-around" for another landing attempt.
Further analysis by pilot and former Transportation Department inspector general Mary Schiavo suggested that video footage of the landing showed the Amazon plane "floating" above the runway for an extended period without properly flaring, thereby consuming crucial runway length. Schiavo also pointed out that Miami International Airport lacks arresting systems, which are crushable material beds at runway ends designed to safely stop planes that overrun. The FAA credits these systems with saving hundreds of lives nationwide.
