Federal investigators recovered both flight recorders after the Boeing 767 operated by 21 Air for Amazon struck vehicles and traveled about 1,300 feet beyond the runway at Miami International Airport.
MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) — Federal investigators are working to determine why an Amazon cargo jet overran a runway at Miami International Airport by about 1,300 feet Sunday, struck vehicles inside and outside the airport perimeter and crashed, killing five people and injuring at least five others.
The Boeing 767, operated by 21 Air LLC for Amazon, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it overran the runway at about 2 p.m. Sunday. It was the aircraft’s third flight of the day, according to investigators.
National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy described the crash site Monday as an area of extensive devastation and debris.
Investigators have recovered both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which could provide critical information about the aircraft’s approach, touchdown, speed, braking performance and crew communications.
The NTSB has not determined the probable cause of the crash.
NTSB: Jet Struck Vehicles After Leaving Runway
The five people killed were in two vehicles struck by the aircraft after it left the runway, according to the NTSB.
Investigators said the jet first struck a 2021 white Ford Econoline van owned by Professional Ocean Service Corp., an airline cleaning contractor. Seven people were inside the van.
The aircraft then broke through an airport perimeter fence and struck a Toyota Corolla Cross outside airport property.
The jet continued through another fence near an area where Tesla robotaxis were stationed before coming to rest, according to Homendy.
The crash left a large debris field that investigators are documenting as they reconstruct the aircraft’s path.
Five Killed, At Least Five Injured
The human toll extends beyond the aviation and airport investigation.
According to the NTSB, all five fatalities were among people in the two vehicles struck during the runway overrun. At least five other people were injured.
The circumstances put particular attention on what happened after the aircraft left the paved runway and traveled beyond the airport boundary.
Investigators will examine the entire accident sequence before determining what factors contributed to the fatalities.
Flight Recorders Recovered as NTSB Investigates Cause
The central question remains unanswered: Why couldn’t the aircraft stop before reaching the end of the runway?
Homendy cautioned Monday that investigators would not determine probable cause while working at the scene.
The NTSB is examining whether the aircraft touched down too far along the runway to stop safely and whether the crew should have abandoned the landing and performed a go-around. Investigators are also expected to analyze the aircraft’s speed, braking performance, mechanical condition, weather and runway conditions.
Video of the landing is also expected to play an important role in reconstructing the sequence of events.
The flight data recorder can provide technical information about the aircraft’s speed, altitude, control inputs and systems. The cockpit voice recorder can help investigators establish crew communications and other conditions inside the cockpit during the final phase of the flight.
Investigators will combine that evidence with wreckage examinations, maintenance records, air traffic control information, weather data, surveillance video and witness interviews.
Could the Miami Crash Have Been Prevented?
It is too early to determine.
The NTSB has not concluded that pilot actions, mechanical problems, weather, runway conditions or airport infrastructure caused or contributed to the accident.
One issue under scrutiny is the protection available when an aircraft overruns a runway.
Miami International Airport does not have the type of aircraft arresting system installed at some airports, according to AP reporting. MIA instead has a 1,000-foot runway safety buffer and complies with applicable requirements.
That distinction is important: The absence of an arresting system does not establish that airport infrastructure caused the crash or fatalities.
Investigators will need to determine first why the aircraft overran the runway and then whether different safety measures could have prevented the accident or reduced its severity.
The findings could eventually lead to recommendations involving aircraft operations, runway-overrun protection, airport infrastructure or carrier procedures — but any such conclusions would come after the evidence is analyzed.
Amazon-21 Air Safety Relationship Under Review
Another significant part of the investigation will focus on the relationship between Amazon and 21 Air.
The aircraft was carrying cargo for Amazon but was operated by 21 Air.
Homendy said investigators want to understand the responsibilities of each company, including what safety provisions are contained in contracts, policies and operating arrangements.
That examination could help establish how operational and safety responsibilities were divided between the cargo customer and the airline operating the aircraft.
Amazon has said it is cooperating with the investigation.
Crash Causes Major Disruptions at Miami International Airport
The crash also caused significant disruptions at one of the nation’s busiest aviation gateways.
More than 160 flights were canceled and nearly 325 delayed by late Sunday, according to FlightAware data reported by The Associated Press.
Disruptions continued Monday as aircraft and flight crews remained out of position.
Miami International Airport reported that two of its four runways remained closed and advised passengers to contact their airlines before traveling to the airport.
The closures are especially significant because of MIA’s enormous passenger and cargo operations.
The airport handled approximately 55.3 million passengers and 3.4 million U.S. tons of freight in 2025, according to official MIA statistics. The airport has four runways and recorded nearly 499,000 commercial aircraft movements last year.
That makes prolonged runway restrictions potentially consequential for passenger travel, international commerce and South Florida’s logistics network.
What’s Next?
NTSB investigators are expected to continue documenting the wreckage, examining the aircraft and runway, interviewing witnesses and reviewing operational and maintenance records.
Analysis of the cockpit voice and flight data recorders will be particularly important in determining where the aircraft touched down, how fast it was traveling, how much runway remained and how the aircraft’s braking and other systems performed.
Investigators will also examine weather and runway conditions, flight crew actions, air traffic control communications and the Amazon-21 Air operating relationship.
The NTSB’s investigation process separates the collection of factual evidence from its eventual determination of probable cause. The agency maintains public investigation records and dockets as cases progress.
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