Amazon Suspends Partnership with 21 Air Following Fatal Miami Crash

Amazon has announced the suspension of its operations with cargo carrier 21 Air following a fatal plane crash in Miami. The decision comes after a Boeing 767-300 cargo plane, operated by 21 Air, overshot the runway at Miami International Airport on 6 September. The aircraft hit several vehicles, resulting in the deaths of five people and injuries to five others. The pilots of the aircraft were injured but have since been discharged from the hospital.

The flight had departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and has recovered the flight recorders. Preliminary data suggests that one pilot warned the other multiple times about the excessive speed of the aircraft and that an altitude alarm sounded, though there was no consistent verbal response. Other reports indicate the pilots attempted to abort the landing before the plane crashed through a fence and hit vehicles.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that safety is the company's top priority and that the decision to pause work with 21 Air followed a review of the circumstances surrounding the incident. 21 Air chief executive Keith Winters expressed devastation over the accident and stated that the company is cooperating with authorities. The NTSB chairwoman described the crash site as a scene of utter devastation.