Key Points
- A Boeing 767-300 freighter contracted by Amazon Air overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, resulting in five fatalities
- Prime Air Flight 7598, operated by 21 Air, was inbound from San Juan, Puerto Rico when the incident occurred
- The aircraft collided with several ground vehicles after departing the runway and ignited
- Five more individuals sustained injuries, with three reported in critical condition
- Federal aviation authorities including the FAA and NTSB have initiated formal investigations
A devastating aviation accident unfolded at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon when an Amazon Air cargo aircraft failed to remain on the runway during landing, claiming at least five lives and leaving five others wounded.
The incident involved a Boeing 767-300 freighter operating under the designation Prime Air Flight 7598 for 21 Air. The aircraft was completing a flight from Luis MuƱoz MarĆn International Airport in Puerto Rico when it overshot the runway at approximately 2 p.m. local time.
Following the runway excursion, the cargo jet collided with numerous ground vehicles positioned near the airfield. Emergency responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue discovered intense flames and thick smoke billowing from the wreckage upon arrival.
Several individuals became trapped within the vehicles impacted by the wayward aircraft. The emergency response mobilized 60 fire apparatus units, with the first units reaching the crash site in under 30 seconds from the initial emergency call.
Fire Rescue chief Ray Jadallah characterized the situation as “a very complex fire,” noting that engine compartments were actively burning as firefighters worked to extract the pilot and co-pilot who remained trapped inside the cockpit.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava provided official confirmation that five individuals perished in the accident while five others sustained injuries. Among the wounded, three were listed in critical condition, while two additional victims were transported to medical facilities with less severe trauma.
Airport operations came to a standstill at 3 p.m. when authorities closed all runways and taxiways at Miami International Airport. Operations partially resumed hours later with at least two runways returning to service.
Statements from Amazon and Operating Carrier
Amazon acknowledged the tragic event through an official statement released on X. Company spokesperson Kelly Nantel emphasized that the organization is collaborating fully with local emergency services and that their “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 freighter operations under contract with Amazon since 2024. Company officials from 21 Air have not issued any public statements and did not respond to media inquiries.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued an advisory to air travelers, cautioning them to anticipate travel disruptions and potential flight cancellations stemming from the airport closure.
Federal Probes Begin
The Federal Aviation Administration announced it would conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board similarly initiated its own inquiry and scheduled a press conference for Monday to provide updates.
Initial reports indicated that an active fuel leak from the damaged aircraft required containment efforts by hazmat teams.
The Boeing 767 involved in Sunday’s accident had accumulated more than three decades of service, having entered commercial operation in June 1994. The airframe’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 series, although limited manufacturing continues for military tanker variants.
Aviation analysts are drawing parallels between this incident and the November 2025 UPS Airlines Flight 2976 catastrophe, which resulted in three crew fatalities and 11 ground casualties following departure from Louisville.
The 767 platform forms the backbone of Amazon’s air cargo operations, representing the largest aircraft type in its fleet. The company supplements its 767 operations with Airbus A330-300 freighters and smaller Boeing 737 aircraft dedicated to shorter regional routes.
The underlying cause of Sunday’s runway overrun accident has not been determined pending completion of ongoing federal investigations.
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