Cargo plane crashes expose systemic aviation safety gaps
Two cargo crashes expose systemic safety gaps in aging aircraft, runway infrastructure, and operational oversight.
Event / Disaster
Amazon Cargo Plane Miami Crash
A Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft operated by 21 Air overran the runway at Miami International Airport on September 7, 2026, striking vehicles and catching fire. At least 5 people were killed and 5 injured. The aircraft was originally a passenger plane converted to cargo in 2015. FAA and NTSB launched investigations.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
18 articles0 articles
2026-09-07 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Sept, 04:35 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Pilots had opportunity to abort landing or take corrective action
According to former FAA official Mike O'Donnell, when the pilot first warned of excessive speed approximately two minutes before touchdown, the crew had multiple options to slow the aircraft, including extending spoilers, cutting throttles, and lowering landing gear. The pilots could have also aborted the landing and circled around to attempt again, but did not do so.
Second U.S. cargo jet crash in less than one year
The Miami crash is the second crash of a cargo jet in the United States in less than one year. In October 2025, a UPS cargo plane crashed at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport after losing its engine while accelerating down the runway, killing all three pilots and 12 people on the ground, with 23 others injured.
Captain pilot received Boeing 767 type rating in May 2026
The 55-year-old pilot at the controls received his Boeing 767 type rating in May 2026 and had accumulated 7,145 hours of total flight time at the time of the crash.
Cargo plane was on third flight of the day from Puerto Rico
The Boeing 767 was on its third flight of the day when it crashed, having flown in from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cargo primarily consisted of contact lenses.
NTSB investigating aircraft maintenance and operations by 21 Air
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it will review the 32-year-old Boeing 767's ownership history, maintenance records, weather conditions at the airport, and flight operations by 21 Air as part of its investigation into the crash.
Pilot warned of excessive landing speed nearly two minutes before crash
During the landing approach, one pilot repeatedly warned the other pilot for nearly two minutes that the plane was coming in too fast. The other pilot never gave a consistent verbal response to these speed warnings, according to cockpit voice recordings released by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Plane touched down halfway down runway in strong winds
The Boeing 767 touched down with its right and nose landing gear well down the 9,360-foot runway, approximately halfway along its length. Strong winds at the airport as storms moved in may have created a tailwind that contributed to the aircraft's forward momentum after landing.
First officer pilot received Boeing 767 type rating in April 2025
The 37-year-old first officer received his Boeing 767 type rating in April 2025 and had accumulated 2,655 hours of total flight time at the time of the crash.
Five workers killed in Miami airport cargo plane crash identified
The five deceased workers were identified as Rolando Aleman Leon (55), Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo (53), Carlos Acosta Fajardo (53), Javierkys Reyes Quevedo (47), and Julio C. Pineda (75). All were employees of a plane cleaning company working at Miami International Airport.
Aircraft was 32-year-old Boeing 767 originally built as passenger plane
The crashed aircraft was a 32-year-old Boeing 767 originally built to carry passengers. It flew for several airlines in foreign countries for more than two decades before being converted to a cargo aircraft in 2015.
21 Air has operated Amazon cargo flights since 2024
21 Air, a cargo carrier based in North Carolina, has been operating package delivery flights for Amazon since 2024. The company operated the Boeing 767 that crashed at Miami International Airport.
Amazon cargo plane crashes at Miami airport killing five workers
A Boeing 767 cargo plane operated by 21 Air crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday, overrunning the runway by approximately 1,300 feet and colliding with a van carrying workers from a plane cleaning company, killing all five occupants in the van. The aircraft also struck a compact SUV before catching fire. Five additional people were injured, including two in critical condition. Both pilots survived.
No speed brakes or thrust reversers deployed during landing
Flight data recorded by the aircraft showed no indication that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed to help slow the plane during the landing or landing rollout, which would have been standard procedures to reduce landing distance.
Brief attempted go-around abandoned four seconds after takeoff thrust applied
After the plane touched down, the pilots briefly increased throttles to values consistent with go-around thrust, suggesting a late attempt to abort the landing and regain altitude. However, they reduced throttles to idle power just four seconds later and the aircraft departed the runway's paved surface.
Five additional people injured in Miami airport cargo plane crash
Five other people were injured in the crash. Two pilots aboard the aircraft were treated and released from the hospital with minor injuries. Three other injured victims remain hospitalized, including two in critical condition and one in stable condition.
Five people killed in Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami airport
Five people were killed in the crash. All five victims were inside vehicles on airport property and nearby streets. The deceased were identified as Rolando Aleman Leon (55), Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo (53), Julio C. Pineda (75), Carlos Acosta Fajardo (53), and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo (47). All five victims were occupants of a 2012 Ford Econoline van owned by Professional Ocean Service Corp., a plane cleaning company, and a Toyota Corolla Cross sedan.
Strong tail wind suspected as factor in Miami runway overrun
Experts who reviewed video of the landing indicated that a strong tail wind exceeding 25 knots propelled the plane far down the runway. The aircraft remained airborne without flaring the nose to force the wheels onto the ground at the expected landing point. Air traffic controllers had not changed the runway approach to allow the plane to land into a headwind, which is routine airport procedure when winds shift.
NTSB investigating runway excursion as focus of Amazon crash investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, with particular focus on the lack of a runway excursion system. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy stated that the agency's recommendations for such systems must be implemented to prevent similar tragedies. Investigators recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder for analysis.
Amazon cargo plane overruns runway at Miami International Airport
An Amazon Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 freighter operated by 21 Air LLC, overran the runway while landing at Miami International Airport on September 6. The aircraft arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and overshot the runway by approximately 1,300 feet beyond the paved surface.
Miami airport lacks runway excursion safety system
Miami International Airport is not one of the 120 U.S. airports equipped with lightweight, crushable material designed to stop speeding jets at the end of runways. The Federal Aviation Administration reports this system has saved approximately 500 lives. However, Miami's airport is compliant with federal rules because it has a 1,000-foot safety buffer at the end of its runways.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Aging aircraft and contractor oversight spark safety review
NTSB investigates 21 Air's maintenance and operations of the aging converted aircraft operated for Amazon cargo.
Five cargo plane crash victims identified in Miami incident
Five Miami cargo plane crash victims have been formally identified by authorities.
Pilot warned of excessive speed; crew abandoned go-around attempt
Pilot detected excessive speed but crew did not abort landing or deploy sufficient braking systems.
Miami airport safety gap exposed in runway overrun investigation
Miami airport lacks runway safety systems present at 120+ other US airports, investigation reveals.
Strong tailwind suspected in cargo plane runway overrun mechanics
Strong tailwind and late touchdown suspected in cargo plane runway overrun causing five deaths.
Cargo aviation safety gaps exposed across Miami and Louisville incidents
Cargo aviation crashes expose runway safety equipment gaps and aging aircraft maintenance concerns.
NTSB investigates Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami airport
NTSB investigates Miami cargo crash; late touchdown and winds identified as possible factors.
Miami airport disrupted by 160+ cancellations following cargo plane crash
Miami airport experienced 160+ cancellations and 300+ delays after the cargo plane crash and ground stop.
Late touchdown and strong winds emerge as primary crash factors
Late touchdown and strong winds likely caused runway overrun; Miami airport lacks safety arresting systems.
Amazon's cargo safety record under scrutiny after Miami crash
Miami crash is Amazon's second fatal cargo aviation incident in seven years.
NTSB opens formal investigation into Miami cargo plane runway overrun
NTSB formally investigates the runway overrun that caused the Miami cargo plane crash.