An Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 crashed at Miami International Airport on September 6, 2026, after overrunning a runway. According to NTSB data, the aircraft's wheel brakes functioned,but the speed brakes and thrust reversers failed to activate. The accident caused five deaths and five injuries.
The failure of speed brakes and thrust reversers on Flight 7598
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has identified a significant mechanical discrepancy in the data following the Amazon Prime Air crash at Miami International Airport. According to the NTSB, the Boeing 767 cargo jet successfully engaged its wheel brakes, yet the essential speed brakes and thrust reversers remained inactive during the runway overrun. Chihoon Shin, the NTSB investigator in charge,noted that there was "no indication in the recorded data" that these specific systems were deployed.
This technical gap suggests a potential failure in the aircraft's deceleration sequence, which is critical for heavy cargo jets during landing. while the wheel brakes provided some resistance, the lack of aerodynamic braking and engine reverse thrust likely contributed to the aircraft's inability to stop before exiting Runway 30.
A veteran captain with 7,145 flight hours at the controls
The flight crew involved in the September 6 incident consisted of highly experienced aviators. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy reported that the captain, aged 55, possessed 7,145 flight hours according to his medical certification from March 31, 2026. His first officer, age 37, brought 2,655 flight hours to the cockpit, according to a certificate dated April 13, 2026 .
The presence of such seasoned pilots raises questions about whether the incident was caused by a sudden mechanical malfunction or a procedural error during a high-stakes landing. Investigators are currently looking into how the crew was manipulating the controls to understand if the lack of braking deployment was a result of mechanical failure or an issue with pilot input.
32,222 pounds of contact lenses and the fatal collision
The Amazon cargo jet was carrying a significant load of 32,222 pounds, primarily consisting of contact lenses and a flight kit. While officials confirmed that no hazardous materials were on board, the sheer weight of the cargo likely increased the momentum of the aircraft as it exited the runway. The crash had devastating consequences for those on the ground; the plane crushed a van containing seven people and subsequently struck a second civilian vehicle near a parking lot.
The NTSB confirmed that the accident resulted in at least five deaths and five injuries. The wreckage field, which investigators are currently examining at Miami International Airport, shows the path of destruction from the end of Runway 30 through the airport fence and into the civilian parking area.
The missing pilot accounts in the NTSB investigation
Investigators are still working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the Prime Air Flight 7598 disaster. While the NTSB has analyzed the flight data, the agency has not yet interviewed the pilots to understand their specific actions during the descent. A central unanswered question remains: did the crew attempt to deploy the speed brakes and thrust reversers, or did the systems fail to respond to their commands?
Furthermore, it is currently unknown if any other mechanical components failed simultaneously, as officials are not yet ready to speculate on the exact cause of the failure. The investigation will require a complete understanding of the crew's manual control inputs to determine if the aircraft's systems were functioning as intended during the critical moments of the landing.
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