A Prime Air cargo flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico overran the runway on landing at Miami International Airport (MIA) at approximately 14:00 ET on Saturday, 6 September 2026. Flight 7598 caught fire after leaving the runway and struck ground vehicles near the airfield. All five people on board the freight aircraft were killed. The NTSB has opened a formal investigation; the cause of the runway excursion has not been confirmed.
The FAA issued a full ground stop closing all four of MIA’s runways immediately after the incident. By the end of Sunday 7 September, two runways had reopened, but the FAA extended a ground delay programme through the early hours of 8 September while investigators continue to document the runway excursion site and crews carry out safety assessments.
Disruption Figures at MIA
As of 7 September, 65 flights had been cancelled at Miami International and a further 129 delayed. Two runways remain affected, restricting the airport’s normal capacity.
Miami International is the principal hub for American Airlines’ Latin American and Caribbean network and one of the busiest cargo airports on the US East Coast. Reduced runway availability affects both domestic connections and long-haul flights, with ripple delays appearing at connecting airports across the country.
What to Do if You Are Travelling Through Miami
If you have a flight departing from, arriving at, or connecting through MIA on 8 September or in the days immediately following, we recommend taking these steps:
- Check your airline directly. Most carriers serving MIA have issued fee-free rebooking waivers for flights on 7–8 September. Check the app or the airline’s website for the latest status on your specific flight.
- Build in extra time. Even with two runways restored, ground delay programmes and reduced throughput are extending taxiing and boarding times significantly.
- Confirm your ground transfer. For arrivals and departures, allow for a slower-moving terminal environment. Our guide to Miami International Airport transfers covers all ground transport options between MIA and the city.
If your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, US carriers are required to offer rebooking on the next available service at no charge. For a full explanation of your rights, see our US flight delay and cancellation guide.
We will update this page as the FAA and NTSB release further information. Travellers needing to reroute can search for alternative US flights - Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) is 30 minutes from Miami and serves many of the same routes. For broader travel planning to South Florida, see our Miami travel guide.