A cargo plane operating under Amazon branding overran a runway at Miami International Airport (MIA) on Sunday afternoon, resulting in five deaths and five injuries. The Boeing 767-300 aircraft, designated as Flight 7598 and operated by cargo carrier 21 Air, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it failed to stop on Runway 30. The incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. local time, according to flight-tracking data.
"Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved." Kelly Nantel, Amazon Spokeswoman
After overshooting the designated landing strip, the wide-body aircraft continued beyond the runway's end, striking multiple vehicles before coming to a halt in an adjacent parking area. Images and video footage circulated from the scene depicted significant damage, with the large cargo jet surrounded by debris and crushed vehicles. Reports indicated that the parking area contained several Tesla vehicles, including Cybertrucks and Cybercabs, which were impacted by the aircraft.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied Jadallah confirmed the fatalities and injuries. Of the five individuals injured, three were transported to a trauma center in critical condition, while two others received treatment at a local hospital. Initial reports did not immediately clarify whether the deceased were aboard the aircraft or individuals on the ground. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those killed, pending notification of their next of kin and ongoing investigative procedures.
The crash prompted a large-scale emergency response, with firefighters, police, and other first responders converging on the wreckage at one of the nation's busiest airports. The incident significantly disrupted flight operations at Miami International Airport for several hours. Flightradar24 reported that departures from MIA had resumed by approximately 5 p.m. Eastern time, though the full impact on air traffic and scheduling was still being assessed.
Although the aircraft bore Amazon branding, it was operated by 21 Air, a cargo carrier. Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel addressed the incident, stating, "This is a fast-moving situation and we’re still gathering details." She added, "We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened." Nantel emphasized Amazon's immediate priority: "Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the accident, coordinating closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Investigators are tasked with determining the cause of the runway overrun. As of Sunday evening, no official cause had been announced. The comprehensive investigation is expected to involve examining the aircraft's condition, prevailing weather conditions, the state of the runway, crew communications, and flight data recorders, among other crucial evidence. Authorities have not yet indicated whether the plane experienced any mechanical issues during its approach or landing.
The Boeing 767 is a versatile wide-body aircraft widely utilized globally for both passenger and freight transport. Cargo variants, like the one involved in this incident, are frequently employed by companies for package and freight movement across the United States and internationally. Flight 7598's route from San Juan to Miami is a common one for cargo operations.
The dramatic visuals of the jet off the runway and the substantial damage to vehicles drew widespread attention to the accident. Emergency crews remained on site throughout Sunday as investigators began the meticulous process of documenting the wreckage and reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the tragic overrun. The NTSB and FAA's inquiry will specifically aim to understand why the aircraft failed to stop before the end of Runway 30 and how it progressed far enough to strike vehicles in the parking area. Officials have not provided a timeline for the release of preliminary findings. This incident marks one of the most serious aviation accidents involving a cargo aircraft at a major U.S. airport in recent years, underscoring the critical importance of aviation safety protocols and thorough accident investigations. Authorities are expected to release further details regarding the victims, crew members, and the circumstances surrounding the crash as the investigation advances.
