.png)
NTSB Investigates Deadly Amazon Cargo-Plane Crash in Miami
Federal investigators are examining new evidence following the deadly crash of an Amazon-linked cargo plane at Miami International Airport, as authorities work to determine what happened during the aircraft's final moments. The accident occurred on September 6, 2026, when 21 Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-33A cargo aircraft operating a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Miami, overran the end of Runway 30. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the accident. Five people on the ground were killed after the aircraft left the runway and struck vehicles. Five others were injured, including the aircraft's two pilots, according to reports from CNN.
NTSB Examines the Aircraft's Black Boxes
A major focus of the investigation is the aircraft's cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR). The NTSB recovered both recorders from the crash site and transported them to its laboratory in Washington, D.C. Investigators successfully retrieved more than two hours of cockpit audio from the CVR and approximately 54 hours of flight data from the FDR, which recorded more than 400 parameters. The NTSB has emphasized that the information released so far is preliminary and could change as investigators gather additional evidence.
According to the preliminary FDR data, the aircraft touched down at a groundspeed of about 158 knots. Brakes were applied, but shortly afterward the throttles were increased to a level consistent with go-around thrust. Four seconds later, the throttles were reduced to idle and the brakes were applied again. The NTSB said there was no indication in the recorded data that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed before the recording ended.
Investigators Seek to Understand the Final Seconds
The newly recovered data could help investigators reconstruct the aircraft's movements and the crew's actions during the landing. CNN reported that investigators are also examining what happened immediately before the aircraft ran off the runway, including the sequence of throttle and braking actions. The NTSB is interviewing the pilots and other individuals as part of its effort to understand why the aircraft was unable to stop safely. Investigators are expected to examine multiple possible factors, including aircraft performance, landing conditions, crew actions, runway conditions, mechanical systems and operational procedures. However, no final cause has been established.
A Major Aviation Investigation
The NTSB has deployed a team to Miami and classified the investigation as ongoing. The agency's official investigation identifies the accident as the runway overrun of 21 Air Flight 7598. For investigators, the priority now is to establish a precise timeline of the aircraft's approach, landing and runway excursion. The recorder data, wreckage examination, video evidence, witness accounts and interviews will all contribute to that process. While the preliminary findings provide important clues, investigators have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the full investigation is completed.
What Comes Next?
The investigation could take considerable time as federal authorities analyze the aircraft's systems, review operational records and reconstruct the final moments of the flight. The NTSB's eventual findings are expected to explain what combination of circumstances led to the runway overrun and identify any safety recommendations that could help prevent a similar accident. For now, the investigation remains focused on understanding exactly what happened in those critical final seconds at Miami International Airport.
Comments