Amazon Cargo Jet Crash: Brakes Failed as Five Die

Amazon cargo jet crashes into vehicles at Miami International Airport, five dead, five hurt. Tuesday brought fresh details about Sunday's deadly crash after officials said key braking systems failed to engage. The aircraft's wheel brakes were applied, yet available data shows the speed brakes and thrust reversers did not work as intended. Chihoon Shin, the NTSB investigator in charge, told investigators found no sign that those critical systems deployed during landing.

"We have a better idea of the aircraft's performance after we analyze all parameters," Shin said. "Was it normal? Was it not? And what was working and what was not." He paused before adding he would not speculate on what should have happened right now. Investigators plan to interview the pilots next to understand how they manipulated controls during that final approach. That kind of complete understanding is essential, Shin noted.

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy offered details about the crew without naming them. The captain was 55 years old and held 7,145 flight hours as of his Class 1 medical certificate dated March 31, 2026. The first officer was 37 with 2,655 flight hours on a certificate from April 13, 2026. Officials confirmed no hazardous materials were aboard. Most cargo consisted of contact lenses weighing 32,222 pounds, along with a standard flight kit.

Seven victims died in a van crushed on airport property before the plane tore through the fence and struck another civilian vehicle near a parking lot. Five people survived but suffered injuries in Sunday's fiery crash involving Prime Air Flight 7598. Investigators are working to piece together exactly what happened during that landing.