Amazon Cargo Plane Overshoots Runway, Catches Fire at Miami
A Boeing 767 cargo plane operating for Amazon Prime Air overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, crashing through a fence into a
A cargo plane overshot the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, crashing through a perimeter fence and catching fire in a parking lot. The incident, involving a Boeing 767 operated for Amazon Prime Air, triggered a full emergency response and led to a ground stop at the busy airport.
The accident occurred at approximately 1:54 pm on September 6. The aircraft, Amazon Prime Air flight 21-7598, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it overran Runway 30 upon landing. According to the source report from Paddle Your Own Kanoo, the plane came to rest on its belly outside the airport boundary.
Eyewitness photos and videos showed the aircraft with significant damage to its right wing. The right engine was on fire before airport fire services arrived to extinguish the blaze. The source states the plane ultimately stopped in a parking lot after breaching the airport fence.
Emergency Response and Airport Chaos
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a full ground stop at Miami International Airport in a statement on X. He advised travelers to expect significant delays and potential cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration initially classified the event as a 'disabled aircraft' on the runway.
The ground stop plunged operations into chaos. One runway has since reopened, but delays and cancellations continued to mount. A spokesperson for Miami International Airport urged passengers to check their flight status with their airline before traveling to the airport.
Aircraft History and Investigation
The aircraft involved is a 32-year-old Boeing 767-33 with registration N1997A. It was first delivered to the defunct Belgian charter airline Sobelair in 1994. The plane has had a long history with several carriers.
| Airline | Period of Operation |
|---|---|
| Sobelair | From 1994 |
| Vietnam Airlines | Not specified |
| Air Europa | Not specified |
| Kenya Airways | Not specified |
| Atlas Air (cargo conversion) | From 2015 |
The source identifies it as the very first Amazon Prime Air cargo jet. It is currently operated by North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air on behalf of Amazon.
The cause of the accident is not yet known. The FAA stated it would send investigators to the crash site. The National Transportation Safety Board also confirmed it was gathering information about the incident. The NTSB said it would release more details when available.
Initial social media reports from emergency services, cited in the source, indicated there were several victims. The full extent of injuries has not been officially confirmed by investigating authorities. The scene was attended by multiple airport emergency response crews.
