A Boeing 767-300 cargo jet operating for Amazon Air overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, September 6, 2026, striking vehicles and killing five people on the ground.
The aircraft, Flight 7598 operated by contractor 21 Air LLC, arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, around 2 p.m. ET on Runway 30. It touched down late, continued well past the normal landing zone, and traveled about 1,300 feet beyond the paved surface. The plane struck navigational equipment, a Ford Econoline van carrying seven workers from airline cleaning contractor Professional Ocean Service Corporation, a perimeter fence, and a Toyota on Northwest 67th Avenue before coming to rest in a grassy area near a Tesla robotaxi lot. It caught fire and ended up resting on its nose.
All five fatalities occurred among people in the vehicles on the ground. The victims were identified as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47. Five others were injured, including the two pilots—Captain Joseph Carol, 55, and First Officer Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, 37—who were treated and released. Some of the injured were in critical condition.
The plane was on its third flight of the day and carried more than 32,000 pounds of contact lenses with no hazardous materials. Weather at the time included thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 30 mph.
NTSB investigators recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders. Preliminary data showed the jet approached unsteadily, with landing gear touching down sequentially at high speed. Brakes were applied late, thrust reversers were not used, and pilots applied full power in the final seconds, consistent with an attempted go-around. Investigators planned to interview the crew and examine factors including weather, the late touchdown, and airport worker safety. Two of the airport’s four runways remained closed for days, causing hundreds of flight delays and cancellations over the Labor Day weekend.
Amazon said it was heartbroken by the loss of life, offered sympathies to the families, and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. 21 Air issued a similar statement. The NTSB investigation remains ongoing.
SOURCES:
5 Killed and 5 Injured After Plane With Amazon Logo Crashes at Miami Airport – The New York Times
NTSB: Amazon plane hit cleaning contractor van at Miami airport | Miami Herald
Investigators seek answers after Amazon cargo jet crash in Miami kills 5 | AP News
Amazon freighter in crash was transporting contact lenses – FreightWaves
Cargo jet tried to abort unsteady landing before crash, flight data indicates : NPR
Investigators begin work on why cargo plane overran Miami runway
