Amazon has halted its use of cargo carrier 21 Air after one of the company's aircraft careened off a runway at Miami's airport, killing five people aboard. The suspension was confirmed across multiple news outlets on September 14, 2026, as federal investigators began examining what caused the plane to leave the runway during what was described as a cargo operation.

The crash marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents connected to Amazon's third-party delivery network in recent memory. Amazon relies on a constellation of contracted cargo carriers to move packages across its logistics infrastructure, and 21 Air had been one of those partners. Following the accident, Amazon moved quickly to distance itself from the carrier, announcing it would not schedule any further flights with the company while the investigation proceeds.

Authorities at the scene confirmed that five individuals were killed when the aircraft departed the runway surface. Details about the specific phase of flight during which the incident occurred — whether takeoff, landing, or taxiing — were still being clarified by investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to lead the formal investigation into the crash's cause.

21 Air, a North Carolina-based cargo airline, has operated contracted routes for major e-commerce and logistics clients. The airline's safety record and the mechanical condition of the aircraft involved are likely to become central questions in the federal inquiry. Amazon stated it takes the safety of its operations seriously and said the suspension was a precautionary measure pending the outcome of the investigation.

The incident raises broader questions about oversight and accountability within the network of third-party carriers that major corporations like Amazon use to fulfill delivery commitments. Regulators and aviation safety advocates may face renewed scrutiny over how such carrier relationships are monitored and what standards contractors must meet to participate in large logistics networks.