NEW YORK, NY, September 8, 2026 — Investigators on Monday retrieved both black boxes from the mangled wreckage of an Amazon Prime Air cargo jet. The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were extracted at Miami International Airport. The two devices are now on their way to Washington for further examination. Standard protocols for technical recovery of flight recorders are outlined by the National Transportation Safety Board.
NTSB Confirms Recovery
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy confirmed the recovery Monday during a news briefing at the crash location. The recorders would be flown overnight to the agency’s headquarters, she said. Engineers there will download flight data and cockpit audio for analysis.
A 32-year-old Boeing 767 operated by 21 Air LLC overran Runway 30 on Sunday. It careened more than 1,300 feet past the end of the runway before hitting two vehicles. The accident killed five people, while five others were injured. Federal regulatory oversight of air carrier operations is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Homendy said investigators spent time overnight collecting perishable evidence at the location. Recovering recorders is usually one of the earliest steps in a major crash investigation. But the fire, which was very severe, seemed to have not damaged them.
Scene Still Under Investigation
Homendy stated that no marks were found between the grass edge and the observer. Wreckage from the plane and cars it hit were widely strewn across the ground. The destruction was extensive, she said, with fencing and parts of the airport ripped apart.
Crews worked Monday to remove jet fuel from the plane and surrounding grounds. Four of the airport’s runways remained closed as cleanup continued. Investigators say they will be on site gathering evidence for at least a week. Operational facility updates are maintained directly by Miami International Airport.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing are providing technical assistance to the investigation. Investigators have also been accompanied by members of 21 Air LLC, the firm employing the flight crew. Standard protocol permits involved parties to contribute technical expertise without biasing the final decision.
What the Recorders Could Reveal
The flight data recorder makes continuous records of speed, altitude and engine performance throughout the flight. The cockpit voice recorder records the conversations and sounds inside the cockpit just before an accident. The agency has some outside speed data, but any confirmation must come from the recorders first, Homendy said. Aviation research into flight telemetry and safety systems is supported by NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.
So far investigators have not established a probable cause and won’t do so for some time. Homendy, speaking from Washington D.C., said the NTSB typically takes months to complete major investigations. However, a preliminary report is likely to be released before the final verdict is made public.
Final conclusions in past aviation probes have taken a year or more to reach. Before the data are reviewed, Homendy urged reporters not to speculate on causes. The agency’s priority is still to provide an accurate, evidence-based account of the crash, she said.
Flight History and Next Steps
Flight 7598 was already on its third leg Sunday, having flown Cincinnati to Miami and then Miami to San Juan. It was heading from Puerto Rico to Miami when it crashed. Investigators are examining maintenance logs and crew communications from all three flights that day.
Authorities have not said if fatigue or scheduling played a part in the crash. Federal regulations limit the number of hours that cargo pilots can fly before resting. That data is expected to be included in the overall investigation going forward.
As the review continued, another public update was planned by the NTSB Tuesday. Homendy expressed her gratitude to federal, state and local agencies for their assistance. Police also extended condolences to the families of those killed Sunday.
