MIAMI, Fla. — A major aviation emergency at Miami International Airport on Sunday, September 6, 2026, turned deadly after an Amazon Prime Air cargo aircraft overran a runway, struck multiple vehicles and caught fire. Authorities say at least five people were killed and five others were injured, with three of the injured reported to be in critical condition.
The aircraft involved was 21 Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 cargo plane operating for Amazon Prime Air. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft had departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before overrunning a runway while landing at Miami International Airport at approximately 2 p.m. local time.
The crash triggered a large emergency response, with more than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responding to the scene. The aircraft came to rest near the northwest end of the airport after leaving the runway, and heavy smoke and flames were visible as firefighters worked to control the blaze.
The incident also caused major disruption at one of Florida’s busiest airports, with runways and taxiways temporarily closed and a ground stop imposed while emergency crews worked at the scene. Federal authorities have launched an investigation into what caused the aircraft to overrun the runway.
What Happened at Miami International Airport?
The incident occurred shortly before or around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon as 21 Air Flight 7598 was landing at Miami International Airport.
The FAA confirmed that the Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft overran the airport’s diagonal runway after landing. Miami International Airport officials said the aircraft became disabled at the northwest end of the airport.
Local reports later indicated that the aircraft struck multiple vehicles near the airport after leaving the runway.
The collision caused a major emergency response, with firefighters and other first responders rushing to the scene.
The aircraft subsequently caught fire, producing heavy flames and thick smoke that could be seen from the surrounding area.
The circumstances leading to the runway overrun remain under investigation.
At this stage, authorities have not announced a final explanation for why the aircraft was unable to stop within the usable runway area.
Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598 Identified
The aircraft was identified as 21 Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft operating for Amazon Prime Air.
The FAA said the flight originated at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Amazon confirmed that an Amazon Air aircraft operated by 21 Air was involved in an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport.
Unlike a conventional passenger flight, this was a cargo operation.
That means descriptions circulating online referring to passengers being evacuated should be treated carefully. The aircraft had crew aboard, but the available reports do not describe it as a passenger airline flight.
The investigation will determine the exact sequence of events during the landing and runway overrun.
Five People Killed in the Miami Airport Crash
The incident became a fatal disaster after authorities confirmed multiple deaths.
Current reports say five people were killed in connection with the crash. Five additional people were injured, including three who were reported to be in critical condition.
The fatalities appear to have involved people on the ground as the aircraft struck multiple vehicles after leaving the runway.
Early reports initially contained limited information about injuries and deaths, but subsequent updates from authorities and major news organizations provided a clearer picture of the scale of the tragedy.
The identities of all victims have not necessarily been publicly released.
Families affected by the crash are now facing the difficult process of grieving while authorities continue working to establish exactly what happened.
Emergency Crews Responded in Force
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue mounted a major response following the crash.
More than 60 fire-rescue units were reported at the scene as crews worked to extinguish the aircraft fire, assess victims and secure the area.
Aircraft crashes present unique challenges for emergency responders.
Firefighters must contend with aviation fuel, damaged aircraft structures, potentially hazardous cargo and the possibility of additional victims in surrounding vehicles.
The crash also occurred at an active international airport, requiring authorities to coordinate emergency operations with airport officials and aviation agencies.
The scale of the response reflected the seriousness of the incident.
Flames and Heavy Smoke Seen After Runway Overrun
Images and video from the scene showed the aircraft after it left the runway, with substantial smoke and flames visible.
The plane came to rest in the northwest portion of the airport area, with the aircraft visibly damaged following the impact.
Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and prevent further danger around the aircraft.
The presence of fire following an aircraft accident can significantly complicate rescue and recovery efforts.
Emergency crews must first establish a safe working environment before investigators can begin examining the wreckage in detail.
Airport Operations Disrupted
The crash had an immediate effect on operations at Miami International Airport.
Airport officials said that all runways and taxiways were closed while emergency crews responded to the disabled aircraft. A ground stop was also implemented, temporarily preventing normal flight operations.
The disruption resulted in widespread delays and cancellations.
Some incoming flights were diverted while airport authorities and federal aviation officials dealt with the emergency.
The effects of the crash extended beyond the immediate accident scene because Miami International is a major hub for domestic and international air travel.
Travelers were advised to check directly with their airlines for updated flight information as the airport worked toward restoring normal operations.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Investigators will examine the aircraft, runway conditions, flight data, air-traffic communications and other available evidence as they work to determine what happened.
The investigation could take time.
A preliminary explanation may emerge relatively quickly, but determining the precise cause of an aviation accident typically requires a detailed review of technical, operational and environmental factors.
For now, no final cause should be assigned.
It would be premature to blame the pilots, airline, airport or weather conditions until investigators have completed their work.
What Caused the Plane to Overrun the Runway?
The official cause of the runway overrun has not yet been established.
Investigators are expected to examine a wide range of possibilities, including the aircraft’s landing performance, braking systems, runway conditions, weather, operational factors and other circumstances.
However, speculation circulating online should not be treated as an official explanation.
Aviation investigations are designed to establish facts from evidence rather than assumptions made from early video footage or eyewitness accounts.
Additional information is expected as the FAA and NTSB continue their work.
A Tragedy Beyond the Airport
Although the accident occurred at an airport, its impact extends to the wider Miami community.
People who were simply traveling or working near the airport were reportedly caught up in the crash after the aircraft left the runway and struck vehicles.
The victims and their families are now at the center of the tragedy.
For those who witnessed the accident, the sight of a large cargo aircraft engulfed in flames is also likely to remain a disturbing memory.
The emergency response brought together firefighters, law enforcement officers, airport personnel and other first responders who worked to manage the scene.
Remembering Those Affected
As investigations continue, attention will eventually turn toward the individuals who lost their lives.
Behind the numbers are people with families, friendships, careers and communities of their own.
The five fatalities represent five separate families now facing grief.
The injured victims are also facing recovery, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Their families and loved ones will be waiting for updates as medical teams continue providing treatment.
For now, the most appropriate response is to allow authorities to identify victims accurately and give families the privacy they need.
Miami International Airport Crash: What Travelers Should Know
The crash has demonstrated how quickly an aviation emergency can affect an entire airport.
Travelers flying through Miami should check their flight status directly with their airline before traveling to the airport.
Even after runways reopen, delays can continue because aircraft and crews may be displaced and flight schedules can take time to recover.
Passengers should also follow instructions from airport officials and avoid restricted areas around the crash site.
Emergency investigators need secure access to the scene, and unauthorized entry can interfere with both safety operations and the investigation.
Current Status of the Investigation
Authorities have not yet released a final explanation for the crash.
The FAA has confirmed the runway overrun and said the incident will be investigated. The NTSB is also involved in determining the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Additional information may clarify:
- The precise cause of the runway overrun
- The sequence of events during landing
- The identities of the victims
- The condition of the injured
- The extent of aircraft and vehicle damage
- The effect on airport operations
- Any contributing factors identified by investigators
Until those findings are available, early reports should be treated as preliminary.
Miami Plane Crash: A Developing Story
The Miami International Airport crash has become one of the most serious aviation incidents reported in South Florida in recent years.
A Boeing 767 cargo aircraft overran the runway after arriving from Puerto Rico, struck vehicles and caught fire. Five people were killed and five others injured, according to current reports.
The accident also caused widespread disruption at Miami International Airport, with emergency crews responding and airport operations temporarily restricted.
Investigators are now working to determine why the aircraft left the runway and what factors contributed to the tragedy.
Final Update on the Miami International Airport Crash
The Miami International Airport aircraft accident on September 6, 2026, involved 21 Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft operating for Amazon Prime Air.
The aircraft overran the runway after landing at approximately 2 p.m. and subsequently struck multiple vehicles before catching fire. At least five people died and five others were injured, with three of the injured reported to be in critical condition.
More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded as emergency crews fought the fire and assisted victims.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, and the cause has not yet been determined.
The tragedy has left families grieving, injured victims recovering and the wider Miami community waiting for answers.
This was more than an airport disruption. It was a devastating loss of life, and the victims and their families remain at the heart of the story.
Disclaimer: This article reflects information available on September 6, 2026. Details may change as the FAA, NTSB, Miami-Dade authorities and other official agencies release additional verified information.