MIAMI – At least five people were killed and five others injured after a Boeing 767 cargo aircraft operating for Amazon overran a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, striking vehicles after leaving the airport grounds.
The aircraft, operated by 21 Air as Flight 7598, was landing at about 2 p.m. local time after departing from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The aircraft crossed beyond the runway and struck vehicles before coming to a stop, prompting a major emergency response and disrupting operations at one of the United States’ busiest international airports.
Boeing 767 Overruns Runway During Landing
The FAA identified the aircraft as a Boeing 767-300 cargo plane and said it would investigate the accident.
The agency’s initial account confirmed that the aircraft overran the runway after landing but did not identify what caused the accident. There was no official determination indicating whether mechanical issues, weather, crew actions or other factors contributed to the crash.
Those questions will form part of the investigation now underway.
The aircraft was carrying out a cargo service for Amazon’s Prime Air network, with 21 Air serving as the operating carrier.
Five Killed And Five Injured
Authorities reported that at least five people died and another five were injured.
Three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition as emergency crews responded to the crash site and treated the incident as a major aviation accident.
Authorities had not publicly released the identities of those killed in the immediate aftermath.
Miami Airport Operations Disrupted
The crash caused significant disruption at Miami International Airport as emergency crews secured the scene and worked around the aircraft and vehicles involved.
Airport operations were temporarily halted during the emergency response. Some runway activity later resumed, although authorities warned travelers to expect continuing delays and cancellations.
The disruption added to the impact of an accident at a major international aviation hub serving passenger and cargo traffic.
FAA And NTSB Investigate
The FAA said it would investigate the accident, while the National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to the scene.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy is leading the federal investigation, according to the agency’s response.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight data, runway conditions, air-traffic information and other evidence as they reconstruct the landing and determine what led to the overrun.
Cause Remains Undetermined
No federal agency has publicly established the cause of the accident.
Initial reports about the aircraft’s speed, mechanical condition or possible crew actions should therefore not be treated as established findings until investigators release supporting evidence.
The confirmed sequence is that Flight 7598 departed San Juan, arrived at Miami and overran the runway during landing before striking vehicles. Investigators must now determine why the aircraft did not stop within the available runway distance.
Amazon Supports Emergency Response
Amazon confirmed that an aircraft operating for its Prime Air network was involved in the accident and said it was working with authorities.
The company’s air-cargo network includes contracted and partner airlines, making the distinction between Amazon’s cargo operation and the aircraft’s operating carrier important in reporting the accident.
The FAA identified 21 Air as the operator of Flight 7598.
Investigation Will Determine Safety Factors
The investigation will examine whether factors involving the aircraft, its operation, runway conditions or circumstances at the time of landing contributed to the crash.
At this stage, comparisons with other cargo-aircraft accidents cannot establish a common cause. Investigators must first determine the specific sequence of events surrounding Flight 7598.
The confirmed facts remain serious: a Boeing 767 cargo aircraft overran a runway at Miami International Airport, struck vehicles and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.
Federal Investigators To Establish Cause
The FAA and NTSB investigation will provide the authoritative account as investigators collect and analyze evidence.
The immediate response includes caring for injured survivors, recovering and identifying victims and preserving evidence at the crash site.
Further findings will determine why Flight 7598 left the runway and whether the investigation identifies any safety measures requiring attention.
Reporting Credit: Federal Aviation Administration; National Transportation Safety Board; Amazon.
