Amazon Suspends 21 Air Cargo Operations After Fatal Miami Runway Crash

Amazon has suspended its partnership with cargo carrier 21 Air following a deadly runway accident at Miami International Airport that killed five people and injured five others. The decision comes as federal investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the Boeing 767’s landing and its operation by the North Carolina-based airline.

Amazon Pauses Operations With 21 Air

Amazon said Sunday that it had decided to pause operations with 21 Air, which had transported packages for the e-commerce company since 2024.

“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.”

21 Air did not immediately respond Sunday to a request for comment regarding Amazon’s decision.

The suspension follows the Sept. 6 accident involving Flight 7598 at Miami International Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States and a major gateway for cargo traffic.

Boeing 767 Overshot Miami Runway

The Boeing 767 was approaching the airport at high speed before landing and traveling approximately 1,300 feet beyond the end of the runway.

The aircraft then struck a van carrying employees of an aircraft cleaning company. All five people killed in the accident were inside the van, while five other people were injured.

Federal Investigators Examine Flight and Aircraft Records

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. Investigators are expected to review several factors, including weather conditions at the airport, the aircraft’s ownership and maintenance history, and 21 Air’s operating procedures.

Flight information released by the NTSB on Sept. 9 indicated that one pilot warned the other that the aircraft was traveling too fast during the approach and again after touchdown.

Cockpit recordings also captured multiple automated warnings from the aircraft related to its rate of descent and approaching terrain.

The complete transcript of the cockpit conversation is not expected to be released until a later stage of the investigation.

Aircraft Had Decades of Service Before Cargo Conversion

The Boeing 767 involved in the accident was 32 years old and had a lengthy operating history before joining cargo service.

According to flight-tracking service Flightradar24, the aircraft was originally manufactured as a passenger jet. It spent more than two decades flying for several airlines outside the United States before being converted into a freighter in 2015.

Investigation Could Focus on Multiple Factors

The aircraft’s age alone does not establish a cause for the accident. Federal investigators typically examine maintenance documentation, crew actions, aircraft systems, weather, airport conditions and other operational factors before determining probable cause.

The cockpit information released so far, however, has placed particular attention on the aircraft’s speed during the landing sequence.

The NTSB investigation is expected to determine how those factors contributed to the Boeing 767 leaving the runway and whether additional safety recommendations are warranted.

Amazon Cargo Partnership Put on Hold

Amazon’s suspension of 21 Air represents an immediate operational response while the federal investigation continues. The carrier had been part of Amazon’s cargo transportation network for roughly two years before the Miami accident.

No timetable has been announced for whether or when Amazon could resume operations with 21 Air.

For now, investigators will continue examining Flight 7598, the aircraft’s maintenance and operational history, cockpit recordings and the circumstances surrounding the landing. A final determination of the accident’s probable cause is expected only after the NTSB completes its investigation.

John Irving

John Irving writes for Bjournal, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, reliable reporting and useful information, helping readers stay informed about current events, emerging trends, and stories that matter.