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A Boeing 767 cargo aircraft operated by 21 Air overran the runway after landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon. At least five people were killed and five others were injured. The crash is still under investigation.
September 6, 2026
⚠️ This is a developing story. Details may change as authorities continue their investigation.
What Happened
21 Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft, overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, September 6, around 2 p.m. local time.
The plane was arriving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When it touched down, the aircraft did not stop on the runway. It continued past the end of the runway, crossed a nearby road, and struck multiple ground vehicles.
The aircraft caught fire after the crash. At least five people were killed, and five others were injured. Three of those injured are in critical condition, according to local officials. The death toll may change as authorities continue their work.
Emergency Response and Airport Impact
The crash happened during busy Labor Day weekend travel. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded immediately with more than 60 rescue units and approximately 200 personnel, arriving to find heavy flames and smoke at the crash site.
All runways and taxiways at Miami International Airport were temporarily closed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) put a ground stop in place, which halted all flights in and out of the airport for several hours. Later, two of the airport’s four runways reopened.
According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, roughly 450 flights were delayed or canceled—including about 187 canceled and 266 delayed—as a result of the crash, affecting thousands of travelers during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
The Victims and the Injured
At least five people have been confirmed dead. Five others are injured. Officials have not yet released the names of those who died, following standard procedure to notify families first.
Three of the injured are reportedly in critical condition. Local hospitals are treating those who survived the crash. Casualty numbers in accidents like this can change as authorities continue their investigation and confirm details.
“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” said Kelly Nantel, a spokesperson for Amazon, in a statement.
About the Aircraft
The aircraft involved is a Boeing 767-300 freighter, a large cargo plane designed to carry packages and freight. The aircraft is about 32 years old and was originally built to carry passengers on commercial airlines.
According to flight tracking data, the plane was traveling at approximately 112 knots—roughly 130 miles per hour—when it left the usable portion of the runway.
The plane is registered as N1997A and is operated by 21 Air, a cargo airline based in North Carolina. 21 Air operates planes on behalf of Amazon Prime Air, Amazon’s cargo airline service. The aircraft had been converted from passenger use to cargo use in 2015.
What This Means for Miami Airport
Miami International Airport is one of America’s busiest cargo hubs. It handles more freight to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport. The accident at this major airport affected both passenger and cargo flights.
The Investigation
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. The NTSB is leading the investigation and has sent a team to Miami.
21 Air’s CEO Keith Winters released a statement: “We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami today. Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. We are cooperating fully with all investigating authorities.”
Amazon also said it is working closely with local authorities and officials and will cooperate fully with any investigation.
It is not yet known what caused the plane to overshoot the runway. Investigators have not confirmed whether the cause was mechanical failure, pilot error, weather, runway conditions, or another factor. Preliminary accident information is subject to change as the investigation continues.
According to a review of air traffic control audio by CNN, the pilots did not declare an emergency before the landing.
What Happens Next
Officials are expected to release additional information in the coming days. The NTSB investigation will examine the aircraft, weather conditions, pilot performance, and other factors.
At Miami International Airport, repairs will need to be made to the runway and surrounding areas. The airport is working to return to normal operations.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
By The Lion Capital Editorial Team | September 2026