Amazon pilot’s errors killed five in Miami crash

Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598 crashed in Miami, Florida, on Sunday after its Boeing 767‑300 overshot the runway, struck a Ford van, a Toyota Corolla and a perimeter fence, and burst into flames. Five people died and five were injured. The victims, all members of a plane‑cleaning crew, were identified as Rolando A. Leon, 55; Yoel R. Naranjo, 53; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos A. Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys R. Quevedo, 47.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released new flight‑data recordings that show the aircraft was traveling at 158 knots (292 km/h) on approach—near the upper end of the recommended landing speed. During the final minutes a pilot repeatedly warned the other pilot about the excessive speed, but the cockpit conversation did not include consistent verbal responses, even as an altitude alarm sounded. Automated alerts about “sink rate” and “too low terrain” were also triggered, indicating the plane was descending too fast and too close to the ground.

Flap deployment data revealed the aircraft’s flaps were deployed late in the sequence, likely a reaction to the high speed. Aviation attorney Pablo Rojas said the delayed flap setting and the pilots’ lack of clear communication point to a “doomed approach.” The plane’s overrun led it to collide with ground equipment, a white Ford van, a Toyota Corolla and a fence before coming to rest about 1,300 ft beyond the runway.

The NTSB is continuing its investigation into the cause of the accident and will review the cockpit voice recordings once available. The incident highlights the importance of adherence to speed limits and clear communication during critical phases of flight, and it may prompt stricter oversight of cargo operations in busy airports.