Amazon.com Inc. announced that it has suspended its partnership with Miami-based cargo operator 21 Air following a cargo plane crash in Miami last weekend that resulted in five fatalities. 21 Air is a cargo airline that was operating the flight on behalf of Amazon Air, the e-commerce giant's air freight logistics network.
In a statement released to Reuters, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that following the tragic incident last weekend, the company spent time assisting with the investigation and reviewing the relevant circumstances before making the decision to pause cooperation with 21 Air, the operator of Flight 7598. Nantel added that Amazon will continue to cooperate with investigators and support all affected personnel.
According to officials, the cargo flight operated by 21 Air for Amazon Air overran the runway during landing at Miami International Airport and collided with multiple vehicles on the ground. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 recorded that the aircraft was a 32-year-old Boeing 767-300 freighter, which previously operated as a passenger aircraft for several airlines between 1994 and 2015. On the day of the crash, the aircraft was performing its third flight leg, departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, after earlier flying from Cincinnati to Miami and then to San Juan.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation into the crash, stated that evidence from the flight data recorder showed the pilots of the 21 Air aircraft considered aborting the landing after touching down. The NTSB also indicated that more than one minute prior to landing on the runway, one pilot had warned that the aircraft was flying too fast before it ultimately overran the runway.
In a statement sent to Reuters, 21 Air expressed that its focus remains on supporting the families and loved ones affected by the accident. The carrier added that it is working closely with the NTSB, Amazon, and other partners as the investigation continues, and maintained confidence in its safety policies, operational procedures, and training programs.
