Federal investigators recovered both flight recorders from an Amazon Air cargo jet that overran Runway 30 at Miami International Airport on Sunday, resulting in five fatalities among a cleaning‑crew team and injuries to additional by‑standers.
Crash details and immediate response
The aircraft, a Boeing 767‑300 operated by 21 Air on Flight 7598, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, at approximately 1:53 p.m. when it left the paved runway surface. The jet struck airport navigation equipment before colliding with a 2012 Ford Econoline van that was transporting seven employees of Professional Ocean Service Corp., a cleaning contractor for the airport.
After the initial impact, the aircraft breached the airport perimeter fence and hit a Toyota Corolla Cross traveling on Northwest 67th Avenue. The jet finally came to rest about 1,300 feet beyond the runway’s end. All five victims were occupants of the van, ranging in age from 47 to 75. The two pilots, who had recently been discharged from a hospital, survived the crash.
Investigation underway
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy briefed the media on Monday, confirming that the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been sent to the agency’s laboratory in Washington, D.C., for detailed analysis. While the exact cause of the overrun remains undetermined, the NTSB’s investigative scope includes the jet’s touchdown point, speed, braking performance, aircraft systems, crew actions, weather conditions, air‑traffic control communications, and runway safety measures.
Investigators will also examine Miami International Airport’s lack of an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), a crushable‑material bed designed to stop aircraft that overrun a runway. Such systems are not installed at every U.S. airport, and the NTSB will assess whether the absence of EMAS contributed to the severity of the incident.
Impact on the community
The tragedy has deeply affected the Miami community, particularly the families of the cleaning‑crew members who lost their lives while performing essential airport maintenance work. Local officials expressed condolences and pledged support for the victims’ families. The crash also raised concerns about runway safety infrastructure at busy airports across the nation.
Homendy described the crash path as “utter devastation,” noting that debris, damaged fencing, and jet fuel remained scattered across the site on Monday. The NTSB plans to document the scene thoroughly before moving the aircraft for further examination.
Context and previous incidents
This accident follows a similar cargo‑plane overrun less than a year ago, when UPS Flight 2976 crashed near Louisville on November 4, 2025, killing 15 people and injuring 23 on the ground. Both incidents underscore the importance of robust runway safety measures, especially for large cargo aircraft operating at major hubs.
Authorities continue to monitor the condition of the two injured individuals who remain in critical condition, while a third injured person is reported to be stable. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
