5 killed in Amazon cargo plane accident at Miami International Airport

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, a severe accident occurred at Miami International Airport when an Amazon-branded Boeing 767 cargo plane veered off the runway during landing, resulting in five fatalities and five injuries. The incident took place between 1:53 PM and 2:00 PM during America's Labor Day holiday weekend. The aircraft, Prime Air 7598, arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was unable to stop at the end of the runway, crossed the airport boundaries and a road, colliding with several vehicles and catching fire.

All five fatalities were individuals on the ground where the aircraft crashed, and three of the injured have been admitted to intensive care units. The two pilots of the aircraft, trapped amidst the wreckage, were rescued with injuries, and other individuals trapped in severely damaged vehicles were also extracted by rescue teams. Over 60 units and nearly 200 officers from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue immediately responded to extinguish the fire and control a fuel leak that persisted for several hours.

This Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with registration number N1997A, operated by 21 Air, was manufactured in 1994 and converted from a passenger aircraft to a cargo plane. Acquired by Amazon in 2016, it holds the distinction of being the first aircraft displayed under their Prime Air branding. According to flight data, the aircraft was traveling at approximately 112 knots per hour when it veered off the runway, and the pilots had not reported any emergency to air traffic control prior to landing.

Weather reports indicate that at the time of the accident, the area experienced heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds up to 30 knots per hour. Investigators are focusing on factors such as runway wetness, delayed touchdown, excessive speed, or hydroplaning. However, the exact cause of the accident has not yet been officially announced.

Following this accident, over 160 flights at Miami International Airport were canceled, and nearly 325 more flights were delayed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a special investigation into the incident. Amazon and 21 Air have expressed deep regret over the loss of life, and have confirmed their full cooperation with the ongoing investigations.