On September 6, 2026, a Boeing 767 Amazon Air cargo plane overran its runway after landing at Miami International Airport after arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aircraft continued beyond the runway, struck multiple vehicles and caught fire. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash.
Because the investigation is only beginning, it is too early to know why the aircraft was unable to stop before leaving the runway and hitting occupied vehicles.
Runway Overruns Can Endanger People on the Ground
When an aircraft travels beyond a runway, the risk can extend to nearby roads, vehicles, airport workers, and the public.
Worldwide, runway excursions are a significant aviation-safety concern. An international review identified 141 commercial-jet runway excursion accidents between 1998 and 2007, resulting in 550 fatalities among passengers, crew, and people on the ground.
Causes of a Runway Overrun
When an aircraft overruns the runway, investigators may examine a number of possible causes, including:
- aircraft speed and configuration during landing
- braking and reverse-thrust performance
- runway conditions
- weather
- aircraft control systems
- pilot errors
- air traffic control communications
- airport design
- runway safety areas and barriers
At this stage, it is too early to know which, if any, of these factors contributed to the September 6 Miami accident. The NTSB investigation will examine the evidence and determine what happened.
Important Evidence After a Runway Overrun
Aviation accidents can involve more potential parties than an ordinary motor vehicle accident.
Depending on what investigators uncover, potentially responsible parties could include the aircraft operator, aircraft owner, maintenance provider, airport operator, manufacturer or another company involved in the aircraft’s operation or maintenance.
Determining who is responsible can require reviewing:
- airport surveillance video
- nearby business surveillance footage
- dash-camera recordings
- photographs and cellphone video
- air traffic control recordings
- aircraft flight-data information
- aircraft maintenance and inspection records
- runway-condition reports
- airport operations records
- witness statements
- vehicle damage
- emergency-response reports
- medical records documenting injuries
Some evidence may be preserved automatically as part of the federal investigation. Other evidence may not be retained indefinitely.
The NTSB’s investigation is focused primarily on determining the probable cause of an aviation accident and making recommendations intended to improve safety. That process is separate from determining whether an injured person or a family has a civil claim for damages.
Injuries Beyond Initial Impact
People near an aircraft accident can potentially be injured in several different ways.
A vehicle may be directly struck by an aircraft or debris. A driver may collide with another vehicle while attempting to avoid an aircraft. Fire, fuel, smoke or debris may create additional hazards. The enormous size and weight of a commercial cargo aircraft also means that an impact can produce severe forces when colliding with a vehicle and its passengers.
After a serious aviation accident, injured individuals should seek medical care, preserve photographs and other evidence, keep relevant records, avoid discarding damaged property, document communications about the accident, and consult an attorney before signing a release or accepting any settlement.
How Schlesinger Law Offices Can Help After a Serious Accident
Schlesinger Law Offices is a Florida personal injury law firm representing individuals and families in serious injury and wrongful death cases, including aviation-related claims. Based in South Florida, our attorneys handle complex cases involving catastrophic injuries and multiple potentially responsible parties. We take on the legal work of investigating the accident, preserving evidence, and pursuing compensation so our clients can focus on their recovery and moving forward.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, slip and fall, aviation accident, medical malpractice case, or other incident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact Schlesinger Law Offices to discuss your legal options.
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