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Plane overshoots Jamaica runway Plane overshoots Jamaica runway
(about 2 hours later)
An American Airlines plane has overshot the runway on landing in the Jamaican capital Kingston, injuring more than 40 people, officials say. An American Airlines plane has overshot the runway on landing in heavy rain in the Jamaican capital Kingston, injuring more than 40 people, officials say.
Flight AA 331 from Miami, with about 150 people on board, is reported to have broken apart after the incident at Norman Manley International Airport. The fuselage of flight AA 331, carrying 154 people from Miami, broke apart after the incident at Norman Manley International Airport.
Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz said 44 people had been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Jamaican officials said 44 people had been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Four were seriously hurt.
American Airlines said the impact had broken off the right engine. The plane came to a halt just 10-15ft (3-5m) from the sea.
Spokesman Tim Smith said the fuselage was cracked and the main landing gear had collapsed. American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said the fuselage of the Boeing 737-800 was cracked, the right engine had broken off and the main landing gear had collapsed.
'Panic'
The plane, which had originated in Washington DC, was carrying 148 passengers and six crew.
More than 40 people were hurt in the crash
Passenger Pilar Abaurrea, from the US state of New Hampshire, told the Associated Press news agency of chaotic scenes as the plane hit the ground.Passenger Pilar Abaurrea, from the US state of New Hampshire, told the Associated Press news agency of chaotic scenes as the plane hit the ground.
"All of a sudden... the plane was kind of bouncing, someone said the plane was skidding and there was panic," she said."All of a sudden... the plane was kind of bouncing, someone said the plane was skidding and there was panic," she said.
More than 30 people were hurt in the crash
She said the pilot had warned of turbulence just before landing, but had said it probably would not be too serious.She said the pilot had warned of turbulence just before landing, but had said it probably would not be too serious.
Local journalist Roland Henry said the plane had halted near the beach. Local journalist Roland Henry said survivors had thought the plane was landing normally before there was a series of jolts and luggage tumbled from overhead lockers.
He said survivors had thought the plane was landing normally before there was a series of jolts and luggage tumbled from overhead lockers. One passenger told local media: "The plane did not seem to be slowing down when it landed. There was a loud sound, then a huge thud and then we started to feel rain coming through the top."
Mr Vaz told the Jamaica Observer newspaper there were no reports of any deaths. Another told Agence France-Presse news agency that the emergency services were too slow to respond: "We were there for about 20 minutes or more and there was no-one there. What if there was a fire? We would've all died."
"The injured passengers have been taken to the Kingston Public Hospital," he said. Most of the injuries were believed to be cuts, bruises and some broken bones. None are thought to be life-threatening.
Most of the injuries were believed to be cuts, bruises and some broken bones. A team of investigators from the US National Transportation Safety Board is travelling to Jamaica to help with the investigation.
Airport official Paul Hall said four people were seriously injured but gave no further details. The airport was closed for a while but has now reopened, AP reported.
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