Amazon Cargo Plane Overruns Miami Runway, Killing Five and Striking Vehicles

Key points

• The crash occurred around 2 p.m. ET on September 6, 2026, involving Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Five people were killed and five others injured; victims included individuals trapped in vehicles and the pilot and co-pilot trapped in the aircraft.
• The plane struck a white van owned by a cleaning company and a Toyota Corolla Cross before coming to rest in a grassy area near a Tesla robo-taxi station.
• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed over 60 units and 200 personnel; the airport imposed a ground stop, closing all runways and taxiways.
• The NTSB confirmed the aircraft had completed three flights that day, including a route from Cincinnati to Miami and Miami to San Juan before the final leg.

Background

This incident follows a series of aviation accidents in Florida earlier in 2026, including a small plane hard landing at Porterville Airport and a dramatic ocean ditching off Boca Raton. While those incidents involved smaller aircraft and different circumstances, the current crash highlights ongoing concerns regarding cargo logistics safety and airport perimeter security. The FAA has stated it will investigate the cause, which remains unclear as of the latest reports.

How outlets are covering it

NBC 6 South Florida and NBC News emphasized the immediate chaos, including the ground stop and video footage of the crash. WSVN provided detailed casualty figures and specific vehicle impacts, noting the plane struck a van and a car. CNN reported that flight tracking data showed the aircraft was traveling at nearly 130 mph when it left the runway and that pilots did not declare an emergency before landing. Amazon and 21 Air expressed condolences and stated they are cooperating with authorities, while local officials focused on rescue operations and traffic disruptions.

Why it matters

The crash underscores the risks associated with large cargo aircraft operations near populated areas and the critical importance of runway safety protocols. The involvement of multiple vehicles and significant casualties highlights the potential for severe consequences when aircraft overrun runways. The investigation by the NTSB and FAA will likely influence future safety regulations and operational standards for cargo airlines.

What to watch

The NTSB is expected to provide further details on the investigation on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Authorities are working to contain a fuel leak from the wreckage and have not yet released the identities of the victims. Airport operations have partially resumed, with only two of four runways operational as of Monday afternoon. The FAA and NTSB will continue to analyze the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to determine the cause of the crash.