E-commerce corporation Amazon announced on Sunday that it has paused cargo operations with carrier 21 Air following a fatal crash involving one of its chartered aircraft at Miami International Airport, according to BBC News and Agence France-Presse. The incident took place on September 6 when a Boeing 767-300 cargo plane, arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, overshot the designated runway and collided with multiple ground vehicles before coming to a stop. Five people died in the collision and five others sustained injuries, prompting federal regulators to open an inquiry into flight management practices.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel confirmed the suspension, stating that the company made the decision while reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident and supporting official oversight agencies. Carrier 21 Air, which regularly handles logistics flights for major companies including Amazon and DHL, expressed formal condolences to the families of the deceased. Company officials stated that they are cooperating fully with emergency personnel and investigators to review the mechanics of the event.
Federal oversight of the incident is being directed by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Initial findings derived from the recovered flight data recorders indicate that excessive airspeed contributed significantly to the aircraft failing to halt on the runway. Federal investigators disclosed that one of the pilots repeatedly flagged the dangerous speed of the descent, though consistent verbal confirmations from the handling pilot were absent while altitude warnings sounded.
Technical teams from the safety board are continuing their analysis of the onboard instruments to determine the full operational chain of events.
