NTSB: Amazon Prime Air 767 Attempted Late Go-Around in MIA

NTSB Analysis of the Miami Runway Excursion

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released initial findings from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) following the September 6, 2026, crash of an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 at Miami International Airport (MIA). The aircraft, operated by contractor 21 Air, overran the runway, resulting in the deaths of five employees of Professional Ocean Service Corp who were inside a cleaning van on an airport service road.

Investigators confirmed that the 32-year-old Boeing 767, which had been converted to a freighter configuration in 2015, touched down at a groundspeed of 158 knots. According to the NTSB Investigative Update, the flight crew briefly initiated a go-around procedure 15 seconds before the recording ended, advancing throttles to go-around thrust and releasing the brakes. However, the sequence was aborted 11 seconds before the end of the recording, when throttles were reduced to idle and brakes were reapplied. No speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed during the final moments of the landing sequence.

Investigative Focus and Crew Interviews

Chihoon Shin, the NTSB investigator in charge, stated that the agency is prioritizing interviews with the two-person flight crew to reconcile the recorded mechanical inputs with their intent. "What we need to do is talk to the crew and get their account to understand how they're manipulating the controls in order to get a better understanding of the situation," Shin noted. These interviews are critical to determine why the go-around was initiated and subsequently abandoned.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed that the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) data will remain classified until after the crew interviews are completed. The investigation is operating under the procedures outlined in Accident Investigation Procedures (49 CFR Part 831), which mandates a comprehensive review of all mechanical and human factors involved in the excursion.

Industry Context and Historical Precedents

This incident has drawn comparisons to the 2019 crash of Atlas Air Flight 3591, another fatal accident involving an Amazon-branded Boeing 767 operated by a third-party contractor. In that instance, the NTSB identified pilot error and spatial disorientation during an inadvertent go-around activation as primary causes. Similarly, the 2009 crash of FedEx Express Flight 80 highlighted the systemic risks associated with bounced landings and the failure to execute a stable go-around maneuver in widebody freighter operations.

Stakeholder Impact

For 21 Air, the incident has triggered intense regulatory scrutiny, alongside legal challenges from victims' families. The Professional Ocean Service Corp has confirmed the loss of five employees, noting the profound impact on their operational continuity and the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Air faces increasing pressure regarding its reliance on third-party contractors and the safety oversight of its branded logistics network. Legal representatives, including those from Morgan & Morgan, have already filed wrongful death lawsuits alleging pilot error and the use of aging aircraft, while media investigations have surfaced claims of historical safety concerns within the 21 Air operation.

Inside the Go-Around Sequence

The data suggests a pattern of instability in the final approach phase, characterized by the delayed touchdown of the main landing gear and the rapid, conflicting manipulation of thrust and braking systems. This trajectory follows the historical precedent of widebody freighter accidents where the complexity of the go-around mode, when combined with high-stress operational environments, leads to rapid loss of situational awareness. The absence of speed brake deployment further suggests the crew was focused on immediate speed management rather than standard landing deceleration protocols.

Pending NTSB Preliminary Report

The investigation remains in its early stages. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary accident report in October 2026, which will summarize the factual findings of the FDR and CVR analysis. A comprehensive transcript of the cockpit communications is not expected to be added to the public docket until 2027.

Why This Matters for Cargo Logistics

The crash underscores the risks inherent in the rapid expansion of outsourced e-commerce logistics. As Amazon Prime Air continues to scale its operations through third-party carriers, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in maintaining unified safety standards across diverse contractor fleets. For the aviation industry, the focus remains on whether the current oversight of converted freighter operations is sufficient to manage the complex human-machine interactions during critical phases of flight.