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
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18 articles0 articles
2026-09-07 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Sept, 04:35 UTC
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What happened
Investigation focuses on late touchdown as possible cause of runway overrun
Video of the landing appears to show the Boeing 767 remaining airborne well down the runway before touching down. Aviation experts said the typical landing zone for a plane is within the first 3,000 feet of a runway. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo stated that if the cargo jet landed beyond that area, it should have aborted the landing and gone around for another attempt. Former Transportation Department Inspector General Mary Schiavo noted the plane floated above the runway for an extended period without flaring the nose upward to force the main landing gear onto the ground.
Weather conditions may have contributed to crash; strong winds reported
Although it was not raining at the time of the crash, dark storm clouds loomed and strong winds were reported in the area. Aviation expert Mary Schiavo noted that if the plane had a tail wind, that could have contributed to it floating further down the runway and increasing stopping difficulties.
Crash causes 160+ flight cancellations and 300+ delays at Miami airport
The crash halted flights at Miami International Airport for much of Sunday afternoon and continued to hamper air travel into Monday. On Sunday, there were 160 flight cancellations and more than 300 delayed flights. An additional 69 flights were canceled Monday through mid-afternoon. Two of the airport's four runways remained closed Monday, with operations expected to be affected throughout the day.
UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville in 2025 killed 15 people total
Last year, a UPS plane crashed after losing its engine while accelerating down the runway at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport. The crash killed all three pilots and 12 people on the ground, with 23 more injured.
32-year-old Boeing 767 has history of foreign ownership including Russian company
The Boeing 767 involved in the crash was 32 years old and originally built to carry passengers. It flew for several airlines for more than two decades before being converted to a cargo plane in 2015. The aircraft has a history of foreign ownership, including ownership by a Russian company. The NTSB will closely examine the maintenance history of this plane.
Amazon cargo jet crashes on runway at Miami International Airport, killing 5
An Amazon cargo jet operated by 21 Air crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday around 2 p.m. after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Boeing 767 overran the runway and plowed across a road used by warehouse workers and other businesses surrounding the airport. Five people were killed, three were critically injured, and two others were hospitalized with less severe injuries. The aircraft came to rest beside a roadway near two semitrucks and appeared to be resting on its belly despite heavy flames and smoke from an engine compartment fire.
Miami airport lacks runway arresting systems installed at 120+ other US airports
Miami International Airport is not equipped with arresting systems that the FAA has installed at more than 120 airports nationwide to safely stop planes that overrun runways. These beds of lightweight, crushable material at the end of a runway have been credited by the FAA with helping save at least 497 lives aboard planes that overran runways. Miami's airport was not required to have an arresting system because it has a 1,000-foot safety buffer at the end of its runways, according to FAA's former director of airport safety.
National Transportation Safety Board launches investigation into Miami crash
The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team led by Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy to Miami to investigate the Amazon cargo jet crash. The agency was expected to give its first briefing on the investigation Monday. Investigators will focus on whether the plane touched down too late to stop safely, examining the exact landing location, the plane's speed and braking, weather and wind conditions, and the aircraft's mechanical condition.
Aircraft operated by 21 Air, not directly by Amazon
The Boeing 767-300 involved in the Miami crash was operated by 21 Air, a U.S. freight airline contractor, not directly by Amazon. The aircraft was 32 years old at the time of the accident and was serving Amazon's Prime Air cargo service.
Amazon had prior fatal cargo crash in 2019
In February 2019, a Boeing 767 cargo aircraft operated for Amazon Prime Air by Atlas Air crashed in Trinity Bay, Texas while flying between Miami and Houston, killing all three people on board.
Three injured in critical condition after Miami crash
Of the five people injured in the aircraft crash, three were in critical condition. Two other injured persons were transported to local hospitals. The identities of the victims and their locations at the time of impact (aboard aircraft or in vehicles) had not been confirmed.
Pilots trapped in cockpit rescued during active fire
The pilot and copilot of the crashed aircraft were trapped in the cockpit as the engines were actively burning. Miami-Dade firefighters had to extract both crew members from the aircraft while managing the fire.
Large-scale emergency response mobilized in Miami
Over 60 units from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, comprising approximately 200 personnel, were deployed to the crash scene. Emergency responders conducted complex extrication operations to free multiple victims trapped in vehicles struck by the aircraft. Firefighters also managed a significant kerosene leak from the aircraft's rear section.
NTSB opens investigation into runway overrun
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched investigators to Miami to determine why the aircraft failed to stop before the runway end. The NTSB is leading the investigation with participation from the FAA, Boeing, and 21 Air. Investigators will examine wreckage, flight data, pilot communications, and environmental factors including weather conditions.
Amazon cargo plane crashes at Miami airport, kills 5
An Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767-300 cargo flight (Prime Air 7598) from San Juan, Puerto Rico overran the runway at Miami International Airport on September 6, 2026 around 2:00 PM local time. The aircraft continued past the runway end, struck multiple vehicles on an adjacent road, and caught fire. Five people were killed and five others injured in the incident.
NTSB opens investigation into Miami airport cargo plane crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened an official investigation into the crash of the Amazon cargo plane at Miami International Airport. The NTSB announced it would send investigators to the scene and planned to hold a press conference in Miami on Monday.
Approximately 200 flights cancelled at Miami airport following crash
Approximately 200 flights were cancelled at Miami International Airport on Sunday evening following the cargo plane crash. The airport temporarily halted traffic and later reopened two of its four runways. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned passengers to expect significant delays and possible cancellations during the extended weekend.
Five killed in Miami airport cargo plane crash
Five people were confirmed dead following the crash of the Amazon cargo plane at Miami International Airport. Identities of the victims were not disclosed by authorities at the time of initial reporting.
Amazon cargo plane crashes at Miami airport during landing
A Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft operating as Prime Air flight 7598 for Amazon, owned and operated by 21 Air, crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday. The aircraft was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico. During landing, the plane overran the runway, struck multiple vehicles on an adjacent road, and caught fire.
Five injured in Miami cargo plane crash, three in critical condition
Five people were injured in the crash of the Amazon cargo aircraft at Miami International Airport. Three of the injured were in critical condition and two others were transported to a local hospital.
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.