NTSB: Miami 767 pilot attempted go-around
NTSB analysis indicates the pilots of a 21 Air Boeing 767-300 freighter applied go-around thrust before overrunning Miami's runway 30, killing five on the
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released initial data suggesting the pilots of a crashed Boeing 767-300 freighter attempted to abort their landing moments before the aircraft overran the runway at Miami International Airport. The September 6, 2026, accident, involving a 32-year-old 767-33A(ER) operated by 21 Air for Amazon Air, resulted in five fatalities on the ground after the jet struck vehicles beyond the airport perimeter.
Flight Data Recorder Analysis
Senior Aviation Accident Investigator Chihoon Shin presented a timeline from the flight data recorder. Thirty seconds before the recording ended, the nose and right main landing gear touched down at 158 knots. The left main gear touched down 19 seconds before the end at 134 knots, after brakes had been initially applied.
A critical change occurred 15 seconds before the end. Brakes were released at 120 knots. "Throttles increased to values consistent with go-around thrust," Shin stated. This attempt was brief. Throttles were pulled back to idle just four seconds later, at which point brakes were reapplied at 117 knots.
Shin noted there was no indication in the data that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed. The final recorded ground speed was 65 knots.
| Event Time Before End | Ground Speed (knots) | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 30 seconds | 158 | Nose & right gear touchdown |
| 23 seconds | - | Brakes applied |
| 19 seconds | 134 | Left gear touchdown |
| 15 seconds | 120 | Brakes released |
| 15 seconds | 120 | Throttles to go-around thrust |
| 11 seconds | 117 | Throttles to idle, brakes reapplied |
| 7 seconds | 96 | Lateral, longitudinal, vertical acceleration changes |
| 0 seconds | 65 | End of recording |
Crew Interviews and Background
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed that interviews with the flight crew were scheduled for September 9, 2026. The captain, 55, is a former US Army Black Hawk pilot with 7,145 total flight hours. He received his Boeing 767 type rating in May 2026. The first officer, 37, has 2,655 flight hours and received his 767 rating on April 2, 2025.
Homendy provided details on the recorders recovered from 21 Air Flight 7598. The cockpit voice recorder contained over two hours of good quality audio. The flight data recorder held approximately 55 hours of data across more than 400 parameters. Both devices were sent to the NTSB laboratory in Washington, D.C., for further analysis.
Investigation Progress
On September 8, 2026, NTSB representatives began their on-site work by speaking with air traffic controllers and gathering evidence at the crash location. The agency also released weight figures for the aircraft involved. The takeoff weight was 252,182 pounds (114.4 tons), with a planned landing weight of 231,236 pounds (104.9 tons).
The investigation remains in its early evidence-gathering phase, with the crew interviews representing a key next step in understanding the sequence of events.
