On Sunday, September 6, 2026, just before 2 p.m. local time, an Amazon Air Boeing 767-300 cargo plane operating as Prime Air Flight 7598 overran a diagonal runway at Miami International Airport. The aircraft crashed into multiple vehicles and erupted in flames, resulting in at least five fatalities and five injuries, with three victims reported in critical condition.
Emergency Response and FAA Ground Stop
More than 60 units from Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue responded immediately to the scene, fighting fires and managing the leaking fuel from the aircraft. The crash caused the shutdown of all runways and taxiways at Miami International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) issued a ground stop on all flights at the airport until at least 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time to facilitate emergency response and investigation efforts.
Prime Air Flight 7598 had departed San Juan, Puerto Rico earlier the same day. The Boeing 767-300 involved was originally built for passenger service and converted to a freighter in 2015. The flight was operated by 21 Air, a North Carolina-based cargo carrier working on behalf of Amazon Air.
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigation
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz addressed the incident during a news conference, expressing condolences and assuring the public that updates would be provided as information becomes available.
“Our entire community is joined in prayers and grieving for those who are affected,” she stated.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company’s top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved and confirmed cooperation with local authorities to determine the cause. “We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened,” Nantel said.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Officials confirmed the plane overran the runway before colliding with multiple vehicles and catching fire. Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Raied Jadallah noted the plane was leaking fuel, which fire crews are actively containing.
Impact on Flights and Passengers
The FAA’s ground stop has temporarily halted all arrivals and departures at Miami International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest aviation hubs. This has caused widespread flight delays and cancellations throughout the afternoon of September 6, 2026.
Travelers using Miami International are experiencing disruptions and should anticipate continued delays while runway and taxiway closures remain in effect.
Context of Recent U.S. Cargo Plane Crashes
This crash adds to a recent series of high-profile cargo plane accidents in the United States. In November 2025, a UPS cargo jet crashed after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing 14. Earlier that year, in January 2025, an American Airlines
regional jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, causing 67 fatalities.
Investigations into those incidents revealed multiple systemic errors and mechanical failures, underscoring ongoing challenges in aviation safety.
