NTSB says victims were in van, SUV after Amazon cargo plane overran runway
MIAMI, FLORIDA: The NTSB has released its first major update on the deadly runway overrun involving 21 Air Flight CSB7598, a Boeing 767-300 freighter operating for Amazon Prime Air.
The accident happened on September 7, 2026, and investigators are now focusing on what happened during the approach, landing, and moments after the aircraft left the runway.
The investigation is already raising questions about the crew’s decision to continue the landing and whether a go-around should have been attempted.
NTSB recovers black boxes from Amazon cargo plane
Investigators have recovered both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) from the aircraft.
The two recorders could provide important details about the final stages of the flight, including what the crew was doing and what was happening during the approach and touchdown.
One of the key questions for the NTSB will be why the crew continued with the landing instead of executing a go-around.
Investigators are expected to interview the accident crew as part of the effort to understand the decisions made during the approach.
They will also speak with pilots who landed at Miami before and around the time of the accident to get a clearer picture of the conditions at the airport.
NTSB reveals vehicles struck in deadly runway overrun
The NTSB’s briefing also clarified where the victims were when they were struck after the aircraft left the airport.
A Honda van belonging to an airport cleaning company was inside the airport perimeter when it was struck. A Toyota Corolla Cross passenger vehicle was outside the perimeter fence and was also hit.
The detail adds to the investigation as investigators look at how a runway overrun exposed people in vehicles both inside and outside the airport boundary.
NTSB to probe 21 Air and Amazon Prime Air
The NTSB’s work will not stop with the actions of the flight crew. Investigators will examine the experience and backgrounds of the accident crew, as well as 21 Air’s flight operations.
They will also look closely at the contractual relationship between 21 Air and Amazon Prime Air, including the operational responsibilities under their agreement and exactly who was responsible for what.
That could help investigators understand whether factors beyond the cockpit played a role in the accident.
NTSB probes EMAS, runway safety after Amazon crash
Investigators will also examine the absence and possible role of an Engineered Materials Arresting System, or EMAS.
The NTSB will consider whether such systems should be installed more widely, particularly at airports where a runway overrun could put roads and populated areas at risk.
The investigation will ultimately be about more than determining what went wrong. The NTSB’s findings and safety recommendations can help identify changes that could prevent another tragedy.
