21 Air Flight 7598: NTSB Probes Miami Boeing 767 Overrun

NTSB Investigation into 21 Air Flight 7598

The investigation into the Amazon cargo plane crash involving 21 Air Flight 7598 has entered a critical phase as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) analyzes technical data from the aircraft’s final moments. The Boeing 767-300 freighter, operated on behalf of Amazon Air, overran the runway at Miami International Airport (MIA) on September 6, 2026, resulting in five fatalities and significant infrastructure damage. The Runway Overrun of 21 Air Flight 7598 investigation has revealed that the aircraft may have experienced a confused landing sequence, with data indicating the crew attempted to abort the landing before ultimately overrunning the pavement.

Technical Data and Landing Sequence

According to preliminary Flight Data Recorder (FDR) analysis, the aircraft touched down on the nose and right main landing gear with 30 seconds remaining on the recording. The left main landing gear contacted the surface 11 seconds later. Just four seconds after the full touchdown, the throttles were advanced to go-around thrust, suggesting a last-minute attempt to abort. However, with 11 seconds left on the recording, the crew reduced the throttles to idle and reapplied the brakes. Investigators noted a lack of deployed speed brakes and thrust reversers, which are standard mechanisms for decelerating a heavy widebody jet. The aircraft ultimately exited the runway, tearing through a perimeter fence and striking a vehicle belonging to Professional Ocean Service Corp, killing five occupants and injuring two others.

Pilot Experience and Operational Context

Captain Joseph Carroll, 55, and First Officer Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, 37, were the flight crew on duty. Captain Carroll, a veteran with 7,145 total flying hours, had only received his Boeing 767 type rating in May 2026. The age of the aircraft—a 32-year-old airframe converted to a freighter in 2015—has drawn scrutiny in the wake of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of one of the victims. The Morgan & Morgan lawsuit alleges systemic negligence, citing inadequate training and operational failures. This incident mirrors the 2019 Atlas Air Flight 3591 crash, where spatial disorientation during a go-around maneuver led to a fatal accident, highlighting recurring concerns regarding pilot training standards in outsourced cargo operations.

Runway Safety and Infrastructure

The absence of an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) at the end of MIA’s Runway 30 has become a central point of debate. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has installed these crushable material beds at over 120 airports to safely decelerate aircraft during overruns, MIA remained without one at the time of the accident. Aviation safety advocates argue that the lack of this infrastructure transformed a runway excursion into a catastrophic event. The MIA authority is now under increased pressure to evaluate its Runway Safety Area (RSA) compliance to prevent future fatalities.

The Cost Curve Behind the Guidance Cut

The reliance on older, converted freighters like the Boeing 767-300F remains a pillar of e-commerce logistics, but the economic pressure to maintain rapid shipping schedules often pits operational efficiency against safety margins. As seen in the technical comparison below, older cargo platforms require precise handling compared to modern alternatives.

Pending NTSB Final Report

The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report in October 2026, followed by a final probable cause determination likely arriving between late 2027 and 2028. Investigators will continue to interview the flight crew and analyze the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) to understand the decision-making process during the unstable approach. For Amazon Air and other contract operators, this event signals a likely shift toward stricter oversight of third-party pilot training and safety protocols.