Amazon has paused operations with cargo carrier 21 Air following the fatal crash of an Amazon-branded freighter at Miami International Airport earlier this month.
“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 to Reuters. “We’ll continue working to support the investigation and everyone affected.”
The Sept. 6 flight, operated by 21 Air for Amazon Air, overran a runway while landing in Miami after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, striking multiple vehicles on the ground. The crash killed five people and injured five others.
AMAZON SAYS IT’S ‘WORKING CLOSELY’ WITH AUTHORITIES AFTER CARGO PLANE CRASH KILLS 5
The aircraft was a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 freighter. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and said preliminary flight recorder evidence showed the pilots raised concerns about the aircraft’s speed during the landing.
Investigators have also said recorded data showed no indication that the aircraft’s speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed before it traveled roughly 1,300 feet beyond the runway.
21 Air said it remains focused on supporting the families and loved ones affected by the crash and cooperating with investigators.
“We are confident in our safety policies, procedures and training,” the carrier said in a statement to Reuters.
In an earlier statement, 21 Air CEO Keith Winters said the company was “devastated” by the accident and was cooperating fully with the NTSB, Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities.
“Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” Winters said.
Amazon Air is the company’s cargo logistics network. 21 Air began operating Boeing 767 freighters for Amazon in 2024.
The crash has also prompted lawsuits in Florida alleging negligence by 21 Air, Amazon and other parties connected to the flight. The NTSB has not determined a probable cause, and its investigation remains ongoing.
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
The Miami crash was the first fatal accident involving Amazon’s air cargo network since 2019, when an Atlas Air Boeing 767 operating for Amazon crashed in Texas, killing all three people aboard.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Read the full article here
