MIAMI — Amazon has suspended its partnership with 21 Air after a Boeing 767 cargo plane operated for the company overshot a Miami runway Sept. 6, killing five people and injuring five others.
The North Carolina-based cargo airline operated Flight 7598, which carried packages of contact lenses when it overshot the runway at Miami International Airport. The aircraft traveled about 1,300 feet past the runway before striking a van carrying workers from an aircraft cleaning company. All five people who died occupied the van.
“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.”
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the crash. Investigators will examine the pilots’ actions, air traffic control, the aircraft’s maintenance history, 21 Air’s practices and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
The airline has operated Amazon cargo flights since 2024. It also transports packages for DHL.
Aviation analytics firm Cirium reports that 21 Air leases 18 aircraft, including 13 Boeing 767s and five Boeing 757s. Amazon affiliates lease at least six of those aircraft, while DHL leases at least three.
“We remain focused on supporting the families and loved ones who were impacted by this accident, as well as working closely with the NTSB and all our partners, like Amazon, as the investigation continues,” 21 Air said in a statement. “We are confident in our safety policies, procedures and training.”
DHL spokesperson Robert Mintz declined Monday to say whether the company will continue using 21 Air while investigators examine the crash.
“DHL continually assesses its network and relationships with service providers to ensure we meet the needs of our customers and our operational requirements,” Mintz said.
NTSB releases preliminary flight information
NTSB information released Sept. 9 showed that one pilot warned the other that the aircraft approached the runway too fast.
The plane also remained unstable during its approach and touched down farther along the runway than intended, leaving less distance for the aircraft to stop. Investigators also said a tailwind may have pushed the aircraft farther down the runway.
Cockpit recordings captured automated warnings about the aircraft’s descent rate and approaching terrain. Investigators have not released the full cockpit transcript.
The Boeing 767 had operated for 32 years. The aircraft originally carried passengers and flew for several foreign airlines before 21 Air converted it into a cargo aircraft in 2015.
