Flight data, braking performance, weather and the landing sequence are among the evidence likely to shape the federal inquiry in Miami.
MIAMI, Fla. — Federal investigators began examining why a Boeing 767 cargo jet failed to stop on a Miami International Airport runway before crossing beyond the airport boundary, striking vehicles and leaving five people dead.
The National Transportation Safety Board sent investigators to Miami after 21 Air Flight 7598 overran the airport’s diagonal runway Sunday afternoon. Five other people were injured, including three who were reported in critical condition. The aircraft was operating for Amazon’s air cargo network after a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico. No cause had been announced as investigators began collecting evidence Monday.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the Boeing 767-300 overran the runway after landing at about 2 p.m. Sept. 6. Flight-tracking data showed the jet touching down shortly before that time and indicated it was moving at about 112 knots as it left the usable runway area. Such third-party tracking data can help establish a preliminary sequence, but federal investigators will rely on a broader collection of evidence before reaching conclusions.
Investigators are expected to examine how and where the aircraft touched down, its speed during the landing roll, braking and other aircraft systems, runway conditions and weather at the time. Thunderstorms and winds gusting to more than 20 knots were reported near the airport, although officials had not determined Monday whether weather played any role in the overrun.
The damaged plane crossed a road and struck multiple vehicles before coming to rest near the northwest side of the airport. Firefighters encountered flames, heavy smoke and leaking fuel. Rescue teams worked to reach the aircraft’s two pilots and people trapped in vehicles as more than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded.
The NTSB investigation is expected to combine physical evidence from the wreckage and runway with flight information, air traffic control communications, weather records and operating and maintenance records. Investigators may also analyze available video of the landing. Findings about the probable cause normally come only after a longer investigation, and early observations do not by themselves establish why a crash occurred.
The aircraft, registration N1997A, was about 32 years old. It originally operated as a passenger jet before being converted to a freighter in 2015. Aircraft can remain in commercial service for decades when maintained under applicable requirements, and investigators had not identified the plane’s age as a factor in Sunday’s crash.
21 Air operates cargo flights on behalf of Amazon rather than Amazon directly operating the flight crew and aircraft under its own airline certificate. Amazon said it was cooperating with authorities and expressed condolences after the five deaths were confirmed. 21 Air and Boeing also said they would support the federal investigation.
The crash also created widespread disruption at Miami International Airport. All four runways were initially closed and a federal ground stop halted incoming traffic while emergency crews responded. More than 160 flights were canceled and hundreds were delayed Sunday as aircraft were held, diverted or rescheduled.
Two of the airport’s four runways had reopened by Sunday evening, but the effects continued Monday morning. Airport officials reported dozens of cancellations and additional delays as airlines worked through the disrupted schedule. The damaged aircraft and investigation scene continued to affect the airport’s available runway capacity.
The disruption is significant beyond passenger travel because Miami International is a major cargo gateway connecting the United States with Latin America and the Caribbean. The airport handles large volumes of international freight, making the restoration of normal runway capacity important to both commercial airlines and cargo operators.
Investigators had not released a preliminary cause Monday morning, and authorities had not publicly identified those killed. The NTSB was expected to provide additional information as its on-scene examination continued, while Miami International operated with reduced runway availability.
Author note: Last updated September 7, 2026.