Amazon pauses operations with 21 Air, carrier behind Miami cargo plane crash that killed five

Amazon on Sunday (local time) announced that it is halting operations with 21 Air, the cargo carrier operating the plane that crashed last week at Miami International Airport and killed at least five and injured five others. 

Nearly a week after a cargo plane overshot the runway at Miami International Airport, crashed into nearby vehicles, and killed at least five people, Amazon announced it would pause operations with 21 Air, the cargo carrier operating the aircraft. The plane came to a stop about 1,300 feet beyond the runway, with its right engine catching fire.

Amazon said it informed 21 Air's leadership about the decision on Sunday (local time), with spokeswoman Kelly Nantel stating, "Safety has always been our top priority, whether in our own operations or when we’re working with partners." Nantel added, "We’ll continue working to support the investigation and everyone affected," The Wall Street Journal reported.

Here's what happened

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), on September 6, the Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air as Prime Air Flight 7598, overshot the runway around 2 pm (local time) after arriving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to airport authorities, the plane came to rest at the northwest end of Miami International Airport and was later disabled.

The crash prompted a large-scale emergency response, with more than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units arriving at the scene. Emergency crews confronted intense flames and thick black smoke as they worked to put out the fire and assess those affected.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the aircraft struck multiple vehicles after veering off the runway. Images from the scene showed the cargo plane lying on its underside near a road, with its tail elevated and visible scorch damage along the right side.

FAA, NTSB investigate crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are investigating the incident. Last week, investigators released details suggesting that the two pilots made a delayed decision to attempt another landing before ultimately applying the brakes to bring the aircraft to a stop. The NTSB is examining 21 Air’s safety procedures, its business arrangement with Amazon, and the pilots’ actions as part of its investigation into the accident.

According to the preliminary investigation, one of the cargo plane's pilots repeatedly warned that they were coming in too fast roughly two minutes beforehand and urged them to abort the landing at the last second.

32-year-old aircraft involved in the crash

Bloomberg, citing data from the Planespotters website, noted that the cargo plane that collided with several vehicles was more than 32 years old and was first flown in June 1994. Over the years, it changed hands, including operations for Air Europa, Kenya Airways, and Atlas Air, a cargo specialist. In 2016, it was converted into a cargo aircraft.

21 Air’s Amazon cargo operations

21 Air is a small cargo carrier owned by Jim Crane, a logistics magnate and owner of the Houston Astros. The airline flies for carriers such as Amazon and DHL Express.

21 Air began operating Boeing 767-300 freighters for Amazon in 2024. The aircraft has since become a key part of Amazon’s air-cargo network, operating alongside larger Airbus A330 freighters and smaller Boeing 737 aircraft. The cargo carrier operates around 17 planes, eight of which Amazon uses.

Although Boeing no longer manufactures the 767 as a commercial passenger aircraft, it continues to produce versions of the plane for military aerial-refuelling operations.

About the Author

Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.

^{Get Latest real-time updates}

Stay updated with the latest Trending, India, World and US news.

HomeNewsUs NewsAmazon pauses operations with 21 Air, carrier operating aircraft that overshot the runway at Miami airport, killing five