Black box data reveals aborted landing attempt in deadly Miami Amazon crash

Key points

• NTSB data shows the plane touched down at 180 mph, with the left gear landing nine seconds after the right and nose gears.
• Fifteen seconds before the recording ended, pilots released brakes and advanced throttles to full power, suggesting an aborted landing attempt.
• Four seconds later, throttles were returned to idle and brakes reapplied, but the plane continued to overrun the runway.
• Five victims were identified as employees of Professional Ocean Service Corp, a cleaning contractor; three others remain hospitalized.
• A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the widow of van driver Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo names Amazon, 21 Air, and the pilots as defendants.

Background

The crash occurred on September 6, 2026, involving Prime Air Flight 7598, operated by 21 Air for Amazon. The aircraft, carrying 32,000 pounds of cargo including contact lenses, was on its third flight of the day from San Juan to Miami. Previous coverage confirmed the identities of the pilots, Captain Joseph Carroll and First Officer Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, and the five victims. The NTSB has been investigating the scene, recovering black boxes, and interviewing dispatchers and crew.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News and CBS News focused on the human element, reporting that one pilot told his wife 'my career is over' after the crash. CNN emphasized the technical anomalies in the flight data, highlighting the unusual sequence of gear deployment and throttle changes. The Miami Herald reported on the legal fallout, noting that the lawsuit alleges a 'systemic failure' in training and safety, citing previous concerns raised by former 21 Air pilots. While all sources agree on the fatality count and pilot identities, they differ in emphasis: Fox and CBS highlight the pilots' distress, CNN focuses on the mechanical sequence, and the Herald focuses on corporate liability.

Why it matters

The crash highlights potential safety gaps in cargo aviation, specifically regarding pilot training and decision-making during landing. The NTSB's investigation into the go-around attempt and the subsequent lawsuit may lead to stricter regulations for Amazon's logistics partners and increased scrutiny of 21 Air's operational standards. The incident also raises questions about runway safety systems, as the NTSB is evaluating whether Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) should be more widely adopted at airports with sufficient safety areas.

What to watch

The NTSB plans to interview the pilots and 21 Air's assistant chief pilot on September 9. Investigators will continue to analyze the cockpit voice recorder and flight data to determine the cause of the crash. The wrongful death lawsuit will proceed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, with attorneys planning to amend the suit as new evidence emerges. The NTSB will also assess the need for EMAS installations at airports like Miami International.