Five Dead, Five Injured After Amazon Cargo Jet Overruns Runway at Miami Airport

Miami: A catastrophic aviation accident unfolded at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon when an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway during landing, striking several vehicles before bursting into flames. Officials confirmed that at least five people were killed and five others were injured in the disaster, which forced a temporary shutdown of one of the nation's busiest travel hubs.

The aircraft involved—a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 operated by charter carrier 21 Air as Prime Air Flight 7598—had arrived from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Around 2.00 pm EDT, the aircraft failed to stop at the end of the runway, plowed off the tarmac, and collided with multiple vehicles on an adjacent roadway before coming to a rest on its belly in a nearby perimeter area.

The impact triggered a massive fire, sending thick columns of black smoke into the air that could be seen across the city. More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units rushed to the scene to extinguish the flames and carry out a complex rescue operation.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied "Ray" Jadallah reported that emergency crews faced a chaotic and highly dangerous situation. First responders had to extract the pilot and co-pilot who were trapped inside the cockpit, while technical rescue personnel worked to free several motorists trapped inside cars and under debris hit by the surging jet.

Investigators walk near damaged vehicles at Miami International Airport on September 06, 2026 in Miami, Florida. The vehicles were damaged when an Amazon cargo plane crashed, with five people confirmed killed during the crash. (Photo | AFP)

Of the five injured individuals, three were transported to a regional trauma center in critical condition, while two others were treated at local hospitals for less severe injuries. According to reports, authorities have not yet publicly identified the victims, nor have they clarified whether the fatalities occurred among the plane's crew or the occupants of the vehicles on the ground. Fire crews remained at the crash site for hours working to mitigate an active fuel leak spilling from the damaged jet.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) immediately issued a ground stop at Miami International Airport, halting all flight operations for roughly three hours. While limited operations resumed later in the evening after two runways reopened, the airport suffered widespread disruptions, resulting in flight delays and cancellations extending into Monday.

A full-scale federal investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy is leading an investigative team to Miami to inspect the wreckage, review flight data recorders, evaluate weather conditions around the time of the landing, and analyze the aircraft's mechanical performance.

In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating that the company is heartbroken by the loss of life and is extending its sympathies to the families affected. Amazon confirmed it is cooperating fully with federal regulators and local law enforcement as the investigation unfolds.

A cargo plane is seen at Miami International Airport after it overran the runway at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, on September 6, 2026. (Photo | AFP)