Authorities on Tuesday said key braking systems did not deploy during Sunday’s deadly plane crash after an Amazon cargo jet overran the runway at Miami International Airport and struck two vehicles, killing five people.
While the aircraft’s wheel brakes were applied, available data indicates that the speed brakes and thrust reversers did not, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
There was “no indication in the recorded data that speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed,” Chihoon Shin, the NTSB investigator in charge, said.
Shin said investigators plan to interview the pilots involved, adding that officials are not yet going to speculate about what should have happened during the landing.
AMAZON CARGO PLANE OVERRUNS MIAMI AIRPORT RUNWAY AND STRIKES ‘MULTIPLE’ VEHICLES; 5 DEAD, 5 INJURED
“When we analyze the full list of parameters, we’ll have a better idea of the aircraft’s performance during this landing. Was it normal? Was it not? And what was working and what was not. So I’m not going to speculate on what should have been right now,” he said.
“What we need to do is talk to the crew and get their account to understand how they’re manipulating the controls in order to get a better understanding of the situation,” he added. “That’s something that we need a complete understanding of.”
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While officials did not identify the pilots involved, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said the captain was 55 years old and had 7,145 flight hours, according to his latest Class 1 medical certificate dated March 31, 2026.
The first officer was 37 years old and had 2,655 flight hours, according to his Class 1 medical certificate dated April 13, 2026, she said.
Officials confirmed that no hazardous materials were on board and said most of the cargo consisted of contact lenses.
“They did confirm there was no hazmat on board. The cargo was mainly made up of contact lenses, again weighing 32,222 pounds. And then, of course, a flight kit,” she said.
At least five people were killed, and another five were injured in Sunday’s fiery crash involving Prime Air Flight 7598.
Seven of the victims were in a van that was crushed on airport property. The plane then traveled through the airport fence and struck another civilian vehicle before coming to a stop near a parking lot.