October 1, 2026 – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a twelve-page preliminary report on the September 6, 2026 crash of 21 Air flight 7598 at Miami International Airport. The cargo jet overran runway 30, crossed the airport perimeter and struck two vehicles, killing five people on the ground and critically injuring three others. The two pilots, the only people aboard, suffered minor injuries.
Podhurst Orseck represents 27-year-old Roosevelt Sebastian Perdomo Torres, one of the survivors who was critically injured after he was ejected from the Ford Econoline van. The report details the flight’s final minutes using flight data, cockpit audio, weather records and evidence from the scene. The NTSB has not yet determined a probable cause.
“This is one of the most detailed preliminary reports from the NTSB I have ever seen. It gives us more detail about the geometry of this dangerous landing,” said attorney Kristina Infante of Podhurst Orseck.
Key findings from the preliminary report
The flight data and cockpit voice recorders paint a picture of an approach that was too fast and a landing made too far down the runway, with key stopping systems never used.
- Erroneous piloting decisions
- September 6th was the first day the flight crew had ever flown together
- The first officer warned the captain that they were too fast. NTSB says there was no consistent verbal response from the captain.
- Repeated cockpit warnings. The airplane’s automated system called out “sink rate” twice and “too low terrain” five times during the final approach.
- Speed brakes and thrust reversers were not used. The flight data shows the speed brakes stayed stowed and the thrust reversers never deployed during the landing roll.
“The plane was almost halfway down the runway during touchdown. This eliminated a huge window of opportunity to come to a complete stop,” said Pablo Rojas, attorney at Podhurst Orseck.
The flight crew
The captain, who was flying the airplane, had about 7,267 total flight hours but only about 150 hours in the Boeing 767. He received his 767 type rating on May 18, 2026, about a month after 21 Air hired him.
The first officer had about 2,800 total hours, including about 800 hours in the 767. The day of the accident was the first time the two pilots had flown together. They reported for duty about 5:30 a.m. and had already flown the same airplane from Miami to San Juan that morning.
“The decision to pair these two pilots together is a questionable decision in and of itself. There was an entire chain of decision-making that is questionable. According to the NTSB report, the captain did not know the systems on the 767 as well as he knew other systems,” said Rojas.
What comes next
The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing. Parties include the FAA, Boeing, GE Aerospace, 21 Air, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and the unions representing air traffic controllers and 21 Air pilots.
“We will be closely following every step of the NTSB’s investigation and we will conduct our own independent investigation on behalf of Mr. Perdomo Torres,” said Infante.
About Podhurst Orseck
Podhurst Orseck has represented victims of aviation disasters since 1972. The litigation boutique, based in Miami, FL, has eight attorneys who work in the aviation space, including a board-certified expert in aviation law by the Florida Bar. We have spent more than 50 years representing victims in major air disasters in the U.S. and around the world, including prior cases involving Amazon’s cargo operations.
Recent Podhurst Orseck Aviation Case Results
- $29 Million Verdict for Family in Boeing 737 MAX crash
- Over $100 Million recovered in airplane crash in Dominican Republic
- Judgments exceeding $800 million for victims of Chapecoense soccer team tragedy
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