Amazon Cargo Jet Crash Miami: Boeing 767 Overruns Runway, Catches Fire
NEW DELHI: An Amazon Prime Air cargo Boeing 767 overran the runway while landing at Miami International Airport on the afternoon of September 6, striking multiple vehicles on a nearby road and catching fire, according to authorities. More than 60 fire-rescue units responded to the scene as officials assessed the situation and possible injuries.
The aircraft, identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as 21 Air Flight 7598, overran the runway after landing at Miami International Airport at around 2 p.m. local time. The Boeing 767 was operating a cargo flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Miami.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said emergency crews arrived to find the aircraft on fire, with heavy flames and smoke visible following the crash. The aircraft also struck multiple vehicles on a road surrounding the airport, according to the agency.
Authorities deployed more than 60 fire units to extinguish the blaze and assess people who may have been affected by the incident. Initial reports indicated that the extent of injuries was not immediately clear as emergency crews continued their response.
Following the crash, all runways and taxiways at Miami International Airport were closed, while a ground stop was put into effect. The aircraft reportedly damaged navigational equipment after leaving the paved runway area.
The FAA said the 32-year-old Boeing 767 landed on Runway 30, which is more than 9,000 feet long. Investigators are working to determine why the aircraft was unable to stop before reaching the end of the runway.
A review of air traffic control communications reportedly showed that the pilots did not declare an emergency before landing. Inspection crews later reported that no aircraft parts or debris were found on the runway itself.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it was gathering information about the incident, while the FAA will lead the investigation into the Miami airport crash.
Amazon said it was working closely with local authorities and officials to establish what happened and support those affected.
“We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened,” an Amazon spokesperson said, adding that the company was doing everything possible to assist those affected.
The aircraft was operated by 21 Air, a Miami-based cargo carrier that conducts flights for companies including Amazon and DHL using Boeing 767 aircraft. Flight-tracking data indicated that the journey from San Juan had taken slightly more than two hours.
The incident comes amid broader aviation attention on runway excursions, which occur when an aircraft leaves the runway during takeoff or landing. Data from the International Air Transport Association identifies runway excursions as the most common type of aircraft incident worldwide.
Investigators will now examine the aircraft, runway conditions, weather, landing performance, air traffic control communications and other factors to determine what caused the Amazon cargo jet to overrun the runway at Miami International Airport.
