Amazon pauses operations with 21 Air after the fatal Miami crash

Amazon announced Sunday that it is pausing operations with 21 Air, the operator of Flight 7598, which crashed in Miami September 6. Associated Press reports that spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the decision followed a review of the circumstances and that the company would continue supporting the investigation. [1]

The Boeing 767 overran the runway while landing. Five people were killed and five others injured. The suspension concerns this contractor; the reporting reviewed does not announce a shutdown of Amazon’s entire air network. [1]

The carrier’s response

Fox Business, with reporting contributed by Reuters, says 21 Air expressed confidence in its safety policies and training while cooperating with investigators. That is the carrier’s position, not an independent finding about the crash’s causes. [2]

The outlet reports preliminary NTSB findings concerning speed and deceleration devices. Those findings come from an ongoing investigation. On their own, they do not justify assigning final responsibility to the crew, the aircraft or the company. [2]

What to verify next

Our coverage will separate Amazon’s commercial decision from the investigation into the causes. The former can occur before the latter is complete. The next milestones will be carrier communications and official investigative findings, with particular attention to whether they are preliminary or final. [2]