What happened at the airport
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, an Amazon-linked freighter veered past the end of a Miami International Airport runway on Sunday following a flight from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and subsequently caught fire. At roughly 2 p.m., a Boeing 767-300 flying for Amazon's network as Prime Air Flight 7598 under 21 Air's operation ran beyond the runway.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported the aircraft struck several cars in the vicinity of the airport, entrapping occupants, as crews encountered intense fire and smoke when they arrived. At a news conference, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at least five people were killed, and five others were injured, three in critical condition. "We'll continue to update you as soon as information is confirmed, and tonight our entire community is joined in prayers and grieving for those who are affected," she said.
Emergency response and airfield status
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah described "a very complex fire," noting the engine compartments were burning while crews carried out "search and rescue of the pilot and co-pilot that were trapped in this aircraft." He said 60 fire units reached the scene in roughly 30 seconds after the call and were addressing an active fuel leak.
Airport spokesperson Indira Almeida-Pardillo said "Prime Air Flight 7598 overran Miami International Airport's diagonal runway and is disabled at the northwest end of the airport." By around 3 p.m., all runways and taxiways were closed with a ground stop in place. Several hours later, spokesperson Greg Chin said at least two runways had reopened. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned on X that major delays and potential flight cancellations were likely.
Understanding what moved a market beats knowing that it moved. Get the free Market Briefs daily newsletter and follow the drivers.
Who operated the flight and aircraft details
Miami-based cargo carrier 21 Air began flying 767-300 freighters on Amazon's behalf in 2024. The company did not provide a comment when contacted right away. Amazon confirmed that a plane in its network operated by 21 Air was involved. "We're working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said on X. "Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved."
The aircraft was more than 32 years old, first flying in June 1994, and was converted to a freighter in 2016, according to Planespotters. Over its life, it operated with Air Europa, Kenya Airways, and Atlas Air before joining 21 Air. Boeing has ended commercial production of the 767, though the type remains common in service and a limited number continue to be built as military refueling aircraft.
Investigations, context, and why it matters
The FAA said it will investigate, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is opening a separate probe and will brief reporters on Monday. Based on what is known so far, this crash could be the most serious cargo event since UPS Airlines Flight 2976 was lost on November 4, 2025, after impacting the ground shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky, killing three crew members and 11 people on the ground.
Amazon has been shifting more flying to larger jets that can haul farther and heavier, with the 767 the biggest slice of its fleet. It also operates 10 Airbus A330-300 freighters and uses smaller 737s on regional routes. For your daily life, the near-term ripple is shipping and travel friction in and out of Miami. Older widebodies in focus, a major hub disruption, and parallel federal probes can slow deliveries and snarl flight schedules.
