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April 11, 2025 – A cargo freighter operated by Amazon Prime Air overshot the runway at Miami International Airport (MIA) early this morning, crossing a perimeter fence and crashing into an empty parked car on airport property. The incident, which occurred around 7:30 a.m. local time, caused no injuries but triggered an immediate investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300ER converted for freight service, had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was attempting to land on Runway 9/27 when it failed to stop within the designated tarmac area. According to preliminary reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane continued past the end of the runway, plowed through a barbed-wire fence, and came to rest on a service road adjacent to the airport perimeter. The left wing and forward fuselage sustained visible damage, and the front landing gear collapsed. The damaged vehicle, a gray sedan parked in a designated employee lot just outside the fence line, was crushed under the nose section.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews responded within minutes, confirming that all three crew members on board were able to evacuate unassisted and were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. They were reported in stable condition with minor scrapes. No ground personnel or bystanders were hurt.
“This could have been far worse,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Ralph Cutié in a press briefing. “The quick response and clear emergency protocols prevented any loss of life. We are cooperating fully with the NTSB and FAA to determine the cause.”
The NTSB has dispatched a 12-member "go team" to the site, led by Senior Investigator Mark Rosekind. Preliminary data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are expected to be analyzed within 72 hours. Investigators are focusing on weather conditions – light rain and gusty winds were reported at the time of landing – as well as possible mechanical failure, pilot error, or runway conditions. The aircraft’s braking system and anti-skid mechanisms will be examined.
This incident marks the second major runway overrun involving Amazon Prime Air in the past three years. In December 2021, an Amazon cargo 767 ran off the runway in Houston after a suspected hydraulic failure. While that accident also resulted in no fatalities, it prompted Amazon and its contracted carriers to review landing performance procedures. The Miami event adds fresh scrutiny to the rapid expansion of the e‑commerce giant’s air network, which now operates over 80 freighters out of more than 25 airports nationwide.
The airport’s primary runway, which handles roughly 40% of MIA’s daily traffic, was closed for nearly five hours, causing a ripple effect of delays and cancellations. By early afternoon, runway operations resumed after the wreckage was partially cleared. Airlines reported average delays of 45 minutes, with about 20 flight cancellations across the hub.
Witnesses described a loud screeching noise followed by a sharp bang. Luis Gomez, a ramp agent who was working nearby, told reporters: “I heard the engines revving hard, like the pilot was trying to abort. Then I saw the plane skid past the fence – it was surreal. The car under the nose just crumpled like aluminum foil.”
Amazon released a brief statement: “We are aware of the incident involving an Amazon Air flight at MIA. The aircraft is operated by Atlas Air on behalf of Amazon. We are thankful no serious injuries occurred and are fully cooperating with investigators to understand what happened.”
The incident has reignited conversations about airport safety zones. Runway Safety Areas (RSAs) at older airports like MIA are often shorter than modern standards. The FAA has been gradually extending RSAs across the country, but Miami is still awaiting upgrades. According to a 2023 FAA report, MIA’s Runway 9/27 RSA is approximately 100 feet shorter than the recommended 1,000-foot overrun area. The NTSB will likely point to this deficiency as a contributing factor.
As of late Thursday, the aircraft remains on the grass shoulder adjacent to the perimeter road, with an airbag and crane team working to right the nose section. Once moved, the NTSB will conduct a detailed examination of the runway marks and tire debris. The identity of the car’s owner has not been released, but Amazon said it will cover all repair or replacement costs.
With air cargo volumes continuing to surge – Amazon alone moved over 2 billion packages by air in 2024 – safety regulators are under pressure to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace. The Miami overrun will be a critical case study for future runway protection measures.
