Miami – Amazon said Sunday it is pausing its partnership with North Carolina‑based cargo carrier 21 Air after a tragic accident at Miami International Airport. On Sept. 6, a Boeing 767 operated by 21 Air for Amazon freight careened past the end of the runway, striking a van carrying workers from a plane‑cleaning company and killing all five occupants.
Details of the crash
The aircraft, Flight 7598, landed at high speed and traveled roughly 1,300 feet (396 meters) beyond the runway’s threshold before colliding with the van. Five people in the van died and five others were injured. Preliminary information released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicates that one pilot warned his counterpart that they were approaching too fast, and automated warnings about descent speed and terrain were recorded in the cockpit audio.
Amazon’s response
“After the tragic incident last weekend, we’ve spent time supporting the investigation and reviewing some of the surrounding circumstances, and we’ve decided to pause our operations with 21 Air, the operator of Flight 7598,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement. “We’ll continue working to support the investigation and everyone affected.”
Amazon has been using 21 Air to transport packages since 2024. The carrier did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the suspension.
Investigation underway
The NTSB will examine the aircraft’s ownership history, weather conditions at the time of the accident, maintenance records, and 21 Air’s operational procedures. The full transcript of the cockpit conversation will be released later in the investigation.
The Boeing 767 involved was originally built as a passenger aircraft, serving several foreign airlines for more than two decades before being converted to a cargo plane in 2015, according to flight‑tracking site Flightradar24.
Impact on local logistics
Miami International Airport is a major hub for air cargo, and the incident highlights the importance of rigorous safety oversight for freight operations that serve the region’s businesses and consumers. While Amazon’s pause of the 21 Air partnership is a temporary measure, the company continues to rely on a network of carriers to deliver orders to Florida residents.
Local officials and industry groups have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called for a thorough review to prevent future tragedies. The investigation’s findings could influence safety protocols for cargo carriers operating in and out of Miami.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
