Amazon stops operations with 21 Air after deadly Miami cargo plane crash
Amazon Pauses 21 Air Cargo Operations After Fatal Miami Runway Crash
Tyunews.com – Amazon has suspended its operations with cargo airline 21 Air in the aftermath of a deadly runway crash at Miami International Airport that left five people dead and five others injured.
The company announced the decision Sunday, more than a week after Prime Air Flight 7598, operated by 21 Air, ran beyond the runway during its landing in Miami on Sept. 6. The aircraft had departed earlier that day from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“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.”
The move temporarily removes 21 Air from Amazon’s network of direct cargo-carrier partners. Amazon’s cargo flights are handled by several airlines, including Air Transport International, ABX, Sun Country, Hawaiian Airlines, Cargojet, ASL and Quickjet, in addition to 21 Air.
Crash Left Five Dead and Several Others Hurt
Authorities said the aircraft traveled roughly 1,300 feet past the end of the runway after landing. During the crash sequence, the plane struck a van carrying seven people, then hit another vehicle before stopping in a field.
The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office identified the five people killed as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Narajo, 53; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
The two pilots aboard the cargo aircraft were treated for injuries and later released from the hospital. Three other people remained hospitalized following the accident. Two were listed in critical condition, while one was reported in stable condition.
Flight 7598 was operating under Amazon’s Prime Air cargo network when the accident occurred at about 2 p.m. The crash has drawn federal scrutiny because it involved both the aircraft and people on the ground near one of the nation’s busiest international airports.
Investigators Review Final Minutes of Flight
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. Its initial review includes cockpit voice recorder audio containing more than two hours of material from the flight.
A summary released by the agency described growing concern inside the cockpit during the approach. About one minute and 42 seconds before the crash, one pilot warned that the aircraft was traveling too fast. The recorder captured additional remarks about excessive speed through the remainder of the available sequence.
Roughly 30 seconds before the crash, investigators heard sounds resembling the aircraft’s touchdown. About 15 seconds later, a pilot called for a “go-around,” a maneuver intended to discontinue a landing attempt and have the aircraft climb away for another approach.
Within five seconds of that call, the aircraft had already left the runway.
The preliminary information is not a final finding on what caused the crash. Federal investigations of major aviation accidents typically examine aircraft performance, crew actions, runway conditions, maintenance records, communications and operational procedures before issuing conclusions or safety recommendations.
21 Air Says It Is Cooperating With the Investigation
21 Air said its immediate attention remains with those harmed by the accident and their families. The airline also said it is cooperating with investigators and continuing to work with partners including Amazon.
“Our focus remains on supporting the families and loved ones impacted by the accident as well as working closely with the NTSB and all our partners, like Amazon, as the investigation continues. We are confident in our safety policies, procedures and training.”
Amazon’s decision does not end the broader investigation or determine responsibility for the accident. It does, however, signal that the company is reassessing its relationship with the carrier while investigators continue to establish the sequence of events.
For Amazon, which relies on contracted airlines to move packages through its air-cargo system, the pause could require shipments normally handled by 21 Air to be accommodated elsewhere in its carrier network. The company has not detailed how long the suspension will last or whether the arrangement could resume after the investigation progresses.
The crash also underscores the high stakes of runway operations, particularly during landing, when aircraft crews must manage speed, alignment, braking and the decision to continue or abort an approach within a short period of time. The cockpit recording will be one part of a larger review intended to clarify why the aircraft could not remain on the runway.
As the investigation continues, attention remains focused on the victims, those still recovering from injuries and the operational decisions that led to the fatal crash in Miami.
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