Amazon has paused its operations with 21 Air following the September 6 runway overrun involving Flight 7598 at Miami International Airport, an accident that resulted in five fatalities.
Amazon confirmed the decision in an update on September 13. The company said it had spent the week supporting the investigation and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the accident before deciding to suspend operations with 21 Air, which operated the flight on Amazon’s behalf.
“Safety has always been our top priority, whether in our own operations or when we’re working with partners,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said.
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Amazon added that it would continue supporting the investigation and those affected by the accident.
NTSB investigation continues
Flight 7598 was a Boeing 767-33A operated by 21 Air on a Part 121 cargo service from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Miami. During landing at Miami International Airport, the aircraft overran the end of Runway 30.
The NTSB has recovered and analysed the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR). The agency has stressed that the information released so far is preliminary and may be revised as the investigation progresses.
According to the NTSB’s September 9 update, a pilot cautioned that the aircraft was travelling too fast during the approach. The CVR subsequently recorded several alerts, including “sink rate” and “too low terrain” warnings.
The aircraft appeared to touch down approximately 31 seconds before the end of the CVR recording. About 15 seconds later, a pilot called for a go-around. The recording indicates that the aircraft subsequently departed the paved surface.
Flight data showed the nose and right main landing gear touching down at a groundspeed of 158 knots, while the left main gear touched down at 134 knots. The brakes were initially applied, then released as the throttles were increased to a setting consistent with go-around thrust. The throttles were subsequently reduced to idle and the brakes reapplied.
The NTSB said there was no indication in the recorded data that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed. The FDR recording ended with the aircraft travelling at 65 knots. The agency has not yet determined a probable cause.
Impact on Amazon Air operations
The suspension affects 21 Air’s operation of aircraft for Amazon Air. Amazon has not publicly detailed how the aircraft previously operated by 21 Air will be covered while the pause remains in place.
The decision comes as Amazon continues to rely on a network of airline partners alongside its own air cargo operations. Amazon has previously described its Air Network Control Center as coordinating operations with carrier partners around the world.
The Miami accident has therefore created an immediate operational consideration for Amazon as it reviews its partnership with 21 Air, while investigators continue working to establish the circumstances that led to the runway overrun.
21 Air has said it is cooperating with the NTSB, the Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities. The investigation remains active under NTSB case DCA26MA352.
