- Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598, a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 flown by 21 Air, overran Miami International’s runway Sunday ~2 p.m. after arriving from San Juan — burst into flames, struck vehicles, killed five, injured five more (three critically).
- All Miami runways temporarily closed; Transport Secretary Duffy warned of major delays. 21 Air (owned by Houston Astros chairman Jim Crane) has flown 767-300s for Amazon since 2024.
- Worst US cargo crash since UPS Louisville (Nov. 2025, killed 14). Runway excursions represent ~20% of all aviation occurrences per Airbus. The 767 was previously operated by Air Europa, Kenya Airways, and Atlas Air.
- FAA and NTSB investigating; NTSB held Monday briefing. Key questions: approach stability, runway conditions, arresting systems.
What Happened?
An Amazon cargo plane operated by 21 Air overran the runway at Miami International Airport Sunday, burst into flames, and struck multiple vehicles, killing five and injuring five more. The Boeing 767-300 had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed 60 units within 30 seconds to battle a complex fire trapping both pilots in the aircraft. All runways were closed before at least two reopened hours later.
Why It Matters?
Miami handles nearly 3.5 million tons of freight annually — the most of any US airport — with critical importance for Latin American trade flows. The crash renews scrutiny of aging converted cargo aircraft and runway end safety. A 2019 Atlas Air 767 on an Amazon flight near Houston killed all three crew. For Boeing, another 767 cargo incident compounds an already difficult reputational period.
What’s Next?
The NTSB investigation centers on approach stability, runway conditions, and whether engineered arresting systems were present. Amazon’s Prime Air operations now face renewed regulatory scrutiny, and industry pressure is building for mandatory end-of-runway safety upgrades at major freight hubs.
Source: Bloomberg
