Amazon cargo jet kills five after overrunning Miami runway

Key points

• Five people died and five were injured when a Boeing 767-300 cargo plane overran the runway at Miami International Airport (MIA) on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
• The aircraft, identified as 21 Air Flight 7598, was operated by 21 Air on behalf of Amazon Air and had departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• The crash occurred around 2:00 p.m. ET, triggering a full ground stop that closed all four runways at MIA for several hours.
• The plane struck multiple vehicles, including a white van owned by a cleaning company and a Toyota Corolla, after passing through a perimeter fence.
• The NTSB confirmed the aircraft had two crew members and was on its third flight of the day, having previously flown from Cincinnati to Miami and then to San Juan.
• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue dispatched over 60 units and approximately 200 personnel to the scene, with complex extrication efforts for victims trapped in vehicles and the aircraft.

Background

This incident follows a similar crash in August 1997 at Miami International Airport that also killed five people. In 2025, a UPS plane crashed at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing 15 people. The current crash occurred during a busy Labor Day weekend, exacerbating travel disruptions.

How outlets are covering it

AP News and The New York Times emphasize the immediate impact on airport operations and the lack of EMAS at MIA. NBC 6 South Florida and WSVN focus on the visual evidence of the crash, including video footage showing the plane's approach and the moment it struck vehicles. WSVN highlights the complex rescue efforts and the involvement of multiple agencies. All sources agree on the basic facts of the crash but differ in their emphasis on the investigation and the broader implications for aviation safety.

Why it matters

The crash underscores ongoing concerns about aviation safety, particularly regarding runway overruns and the effectiveness of safety systems like EMAS. It also highlights the risks associated with cargo flights and the potential for ground casualties when aircraft leave the runway. The incident has significant implications for airport operations and passenger travel, especially during peak holiday periods.

What to watch

The NTSB is expected to provide further details on the investigation, including findings from the recovered flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. The FAA will continue its investigation to determine the cause of the crash. MIA is expected to resume full operations as runways reopen, but travelers may continue to experience delays. Authorities are working to contain a fuel leak from the wreckage and have released a missing family hotline.