Full Breakdown
Amazon Cargo Plane Overruns Miami Runway, Killing Five Ground Victims
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On September 6 a 21 Air Boeing 767-300 freighter operating for Amazon Air (Flight 7598) overran runway 30 at Miami International Airport. The aircraft, arriving from San Juan, touched down far down the runway at high speed, attempted a late go-around, and left the paved surface, striking a passenger van and an SUV. Five occupants of the van were killed; several others were seriously injured. Both pilots sustained minor injuries.
Flight Data and Performance
- Crossed the runway threshold at roughly 204 mph and touched down about 3,750 ft beyond the runway start, traveling near 184 mph.
- Speed brakes and thrust reversers were not deployed. Wheel brakes were applied, released, then reapplied with only ?415 ft of runway remaining.
- After exiting the runway the plane continued at about 130 mph, traveling roughly 1,200 ft beyond the paved surface before stopping with its nose in a parking-lot fence.
Missing Wind Information
FAA regulations require controllers to state wind direction and velocity when a tailwind exists. Four minutes before granting landing clearance, the controller provided a wind advisory to another flight (winds from 190° at 19 knots, gusts to 22 knots) but did not relay this information to the Amazon flight. The NTSB identified the omission as a “significant” procedural lapse.
Crew Interaction
The first officer warned the captain that the aircraft was “too fast” during the approach and after touchdown; the captain gave no consistent verbal response. The captain, with 7,267 total flight hours (only 150 on the 767), called for a go-around when roughly 930 ft of runway remained. Thrust was briefly increased before the brakes were reapplied, but the aircraft could not stop.
Casualties and Damage
- Five people in the van were killed; two other van occupants and the SUV driver suffered serious injuries.
- Both pilots incurred minor injuries.
- The aircraft struck airport navigation equipment, a passenger van, and a Toyota Corolla Cross before coming to rest.
Official Statements & Responses
- 21 Air emphasized safety as a “core focus,” noting a review of the NTSB preliminary findings.
- Amazon Air suspended its partnership with 21 Air following the crash.
- NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said investigators will remain in Miami for at least a week to collect evidence and examine operations, crew training, 21 Air policies, FAA oversight, and aircraft components.
Expert Commentary
- Tony Mello, former FAA official, stressed that controllers must issue wind information when gusting tailwinds are present.
Verbatim Quote
- “When you’ve got winds like that, it is your responsibility as a controller to issue that to a pilot, especially on landing and especially when you have gusts,” — Tony Mello
Data & Statistics
- Speed at runway threshold: >203 mph
- Speed at touchdown: ?184 mph
- Touchdown point: ?3,750 ft beyond runway start
- Remaining runway at go-around call: ?930 ft
- Final ground speed after runway exit: ?130 mph
- Overrun distance beyond pavement: ?1,200 ft
- Fatalities: 5 (ground)
- Injuries: 2 serious (van), 1 serious (SUV driver), 2 minor (pilots)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree wind information was not provided and the aircraft landed at excessive speed. Reported wind figures differ: one source cites winds of 19 knots with gusts to 22 knots, another mentions gusts up to 25 mph. The NTSB has not yet issued a probable cause, leaving the precise impact of the wind omission unresolved.