At least five people died after an Amazon Air cargo aircraft overran a runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, striking multiple vehicles on the ground, Miami-Dade officials said.
Rescue teams battled to free victims and secure the scene
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah said the incident occurred shortly before 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time when 21 Air Flight 7598 overran diagonal runway 12/30. The Boeing 767-300 struck several vehicles, leaving multiple people trapped and causing casualties on the ground.
Chief Jadallah reported that five people were killed and five others injured, with three in critical condition and transported to a trauma centre. Two additional injured victims were taken to a local hospital. The pilots — the pilot and co-pilot — were trapped inside the cockpit following the crash and required extrication.
"We can confirm that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport today," Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said, adding that the company was working closely with local authorities as details continued to emerge.
Local authorities also reported an active fuel leak at the scene, which complicated rescue operations. Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said crews were still working as the scene remained active.
Operational impact and aircraft details
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop at Miami International Airport during the response because of the disabled aircraft. Airports and carriers experienced substantial disruption: flight-tracking services reported widespread cancellations and delays across the U.S. as the airport halted departures temporarily. One report cited roughly 194 cancellations and 270 delays within, into and out of the United States as of later that evening.
Flight data referenced by news outlets described the aircraft as a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 that had been converted from passenger to freighter configuration in 2015. The flight was being operated by 21 Air, which maintains an operations centre in Miami and provides services for clients including Amazon and other logistics firms such as DHL.
What officials have confirmed so far
- Fatalities: Five people killed on the ground.
- Injuries: Five injured, three in critical condition.
- Aircraft: Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air on behalf of Amazon Air.
- Runway: Diagonal runway 12/30 at Miami International Airport.
- Operational response: FAA ground stop issued; local crews handling fuel leak and extrication.
Investigations into the cause of the overrun are under way. A review of available air traffic control audio examined by other news organisations suggested the pilots did not declare an emergency prior to landing, but authorities have not released a definitive sequence of events or causal findings.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Flight | 21 Air Flight 7598 (operating for Amazon Air) |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 767-300 (freighter conversion, 2015) |
| Runway | Diagonal runway 12/30 |
| Casualties | 5 killed, 5 injured (3 critical) |
The accident raises immediate questions for cargo operators and regulators about landing procedures, runway safety margins and emergency preparedness at one of the United States' busiest international gateways. Miami International handles around 1,000 flights a day on a normal schedule, and any prolonged disruption can ripple through national and international air traffic.
Local authorities are leading the on-site response while federal agencies, including the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, typically conduct investigations into aviation accidents of this nature. Amazon and 21 Air have said they are cooperating with investigators as details become available.
Further official updates are expected as investigators examine flight data recorders, air traffic control records and witness accounts. The human toll on people on the ground highlights the risks posed when aircraft incidents occur near active roadways or airport perimeter areas, and will likely be a key focus in subsequent safety reviews.
