On Sunday, September 6, 2026, a routine cargo delivery turned into a fatal disaster when an Amazon Prime Air plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport (MIA). The catastrophic crash resulted in at least five deaths and plunged one of the nation’s busiest transit hubs into operational chaos.
Flight 7598, operated by contract cargo carrier 21 Air on behalf of Amazon, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it failed to stop on MIA’s diagonal runway. Hurtling past the operational boundary at roughly 130 mph, the Boeing 767-300 freighter crashed through the airport perimeter, striking multiple vehicles before bursting into flames near a warehouse parking lot.
The violent collision triggered a massive, multi-agency emergency response as firefighters battled a complex fuel fire and rushed to free victims trapped under the wreckage. With thunderstorms in the vicinity at the time of the crash, aviation authorities are now scrambling to determine whether severe weather, mechanical failure, or pilot error caused the deadly excursion.
Whether you are a traveler dealing with the ensuing flight delays or an aviation professional tracking the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, the immediate aftermath is still developing. We are breaking down the timeline of Flight 7598, the heroic rescue efforts, and the severe disruptions rippling across the US aviation system.
The Incident: Flight 7598 Overruns the Runway
The disaster unfolded rapidly just before 2:00 p.m. EDT as the 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 freighter made its final approach into Miami.
- The Landing: Flight 7598 touched down during a period of localized severe weather. According to preliminary meteorological data, dark clouds and thunderstorms were reported in the vicinity, bringing wind gusts of up to 30 mph.
- The Excursion: Rather than decelerating safely, flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 indicates the heavy aircraft ran out of usable runway while still traveling at approximately 112 knots (129 mph).
- The Collision: At 1:58 p.m., the plane breached the airport’s operational boundary, tearing into an adjacent parking area and roadway that serves warehouse workers and local businesses.
- The Fire: The impact ruptured the aircraft’s fuel systems, sparking a massive engine-compartment fire. The plane ultimately came to a rest on its belly, with its tail angled up and scorch marks heavily damaging the right side of the fuselage.
Casualties and the Emergency Response
The violent nature of the crash and the subsequent fire required an overwhelming emergency response to prevent further loss of life.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) immediately dispatched over 60 units and roughly 200 personnel to the chaotic scene. According to MDFR Chief Ray Jadallah, firefighters were met with a severe fuel fire, requiring specialized airport firefighting vehicles to blanket the area in foam to extinguish the flames and mitigate an active, ongoing fuel leak.
The human toll of the accident is devastating:
- Fatalities: Local officials confirmed that at least five people were killed in the crash. It was initially unclear if all the deceased were in the vehicles struck by the plane or aboard the aircraft itself.
- Injuries: Five additional individuals were transported to local hospitals. Three victims were taken to a trauma center in critical condition, while two others were treated for less severe injuries.
- The Rescues: The pilot and co-pilot were trapped inside the mangled cockpit and had to be extricated by rescue crews. At least one victim pinned underneath a crushed vehicle was also successfully freed by technical rescue personnel.
Airport Gridlock and the NTSB Investigation
The fiery crash immediately paralyzed operations at Miami International Airport, sending shockwaves through the national aviation grid during a busy travel weekend.
Following the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for all inbound flights, effectively closing all runways and taxiways for several hours. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned travelers of “significant delays and potential cancellations,” and the impact was immediate. By late Sunday, over 160 flights were canceled and roughly 325 were delayed, with several inbound routes diverted to Orlando International Airport.
The focus now shifts to uncovering the root cause of the tragedy.
- The NTSB “Go Team”: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has deployed a specialized investigative team to Miami, led personally by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy.
- Aviation Scrutiny: Experts are already raising questions regarding the aircraft’s approach. Former Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo noted that early video footage appeared to show the plane “floating” above the runway for an extended period, which may have left insufficient tarmac to brake safely.
- Corporate Response: Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel released a statement expressing devastation over the incident, confirming that the company is cooperating fully with the investigation.
To visualize the correlation between the severe weather and the runway excursion that occurred on September 6, explore the interactive dashboard below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Understanding the Miami Amazon Cargo Plane Crash
When did the Amazon cargo plane crash in Miami?
The crash occurred on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at approximately 1:58 p.m. EDT when the aircraft attempted to land at Miami International Airport.
How many people died in the Miami plane crash?
Local officials have confirmed at least five fatalities resulting from the crash. Five others were injured, with three listed in critical condition.
What caused the Amazon plane to crash?
The official cause is currently under investigation by the NTSB and FAA. However, preliminary data shows the plane ran off the runway at 130 mph during a period of localized thunderstorms and 30 mph wind gusts.
Who was operating the crashed Amazon plane?
The Boeing 767-300 freighter was painted in Amazon Prime Air livery but was officially operated by the contract cargo airline 21 Air as Flight 7598.
The devastating crash of Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598 on September 6, 2026, is a stark reminder of the fragile margins of safety in commercial aviation. While Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s rapid deployment of foam and technical rescue units prevented an even greater tragedy, the loss of at least five lives has cast a heavy shadow over the logistics and aviation industries. As the NTSB begins its meticulous task of recovering flight data recorders and analyzing the severe weather conditions present during the landing, the focus will inevitably turn to runway safety protocols and pilot decision-making under duress. Until those answers arrive, Miami International Airport faces the grueling task of restoring normalcy to a gridlocked travel system.
