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Latest update: 23/12/2009
- Jamaica - plane crash
Dozens injured as US flight overshoots runway
An American Airlines Boeing 737 overshot the runway while landing at the international airport at Kingston, Jamaica, on Tuesday night. Local officials reported 91 mainly minor injuries, but no fatalities.
By News Wires (text)
AFP - An American Airlines jet overshot the runway at a Jamaican airport and ended up in a mangled mess on a beach, but all 154 passengers and crew survived with 91 mainly minor injuries, officials said.
Flight AA 331 from Miami arrived in heavy rain at Kingston airport late Tuesday.
"The aircraft totally overshot the runway and ended up over the road in the sand," said Paul Hall, senior vice president of operations at Norman Manley International Airport.
One of the jet's engines broke off, part of the landing gear smashed and the aircraft body was cracked, officials said.
Passengers had initially applauded what appeared to be a safe landing at the popular winter sun destination, according to media reports.
But the Boeing 737 jet ploughed through the perimeter fence, skidded across a road and ended up on the beachfront. The airport was immediately closed and all flights diverted.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz said 91 people were treated in hospital and that none of the injuries were deemed critical, CNN reported. He said four passengers may have to stay overnight at hospital.
"The majority of injuries are broken bones and of course cuts and bruises and badly shaken up," Vaz said in the report on CNN's website.
"Preliminary reports indicate there are no serious injuries," American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said in a recorded statement.
The flight had originated at Washington's Reagan National Airport and stopped at Miami before travelling on to Kingston where it crash landed at about 10:22pm (0322 GMT Wednesday).
"All I know is that the plane landed and fell apart," passenger Betrie Carr-Camerom told AFP, adding that after the jet came to a halt people immediately rushed for the exits, where emergency slides were deployed.
She criticised the airport's emergency response. "We were there for about 20 minutes or more and there was no one there," she said. "What if there was a fire? We would've all died."
Hall told reporters however that an emergency crew was at the scene within five minutes, by 10:27 pm.
"None of the injuries appear to be life threatening at this point, they are just minor scrapes," he said. "We are investigating what exactly happened."
The head of TV Jamaica, Milton Walker, earlier told CNN that a passenger told him how the plane landed normally and the passengers applauded.
"Then there was a loud bang," Walker said. "That's when they (the passengers) knew something was wrong, when oxygen masks deployed and also they noticed the structure of the fuselage started to crumble.
"My information is that it's broken into three pieces," he said.
The airline would not speculate on the cause of the crash, Smith said, adding that no other details could be confirmed.
The airline is working with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Authority, he said.
Typically the NTSB sends teams to the scene of crashes to determine their cause.
The airport was closed for investigators to examine the scene and for authorities to determine if the runway was safe for take-offs and landings.
All flights were diverted to Montego Bay, on the western end of Jamaica.
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Comments (33)
Explosions
Was that plane attacked? Was not Chavez threatening to shoot down planes. Explosion in Conneticut,USA today as well. The pilot could have over shot the run way to possibly not land in a hostile area. I am just concerned about all these kamakawzi like events.
Crash
Are you sure these planes are night being shot out of the sky? Too many airplane crashes. Are we experiencing kamakawze flights?
killthem
u shoul
AHG
AM HAPPY THAT NO ONE DIES
American Airlines / Crash in Jamaica
When God is with us, the devil can't be against us. We serve a mighty and awesome God and I know He alone is worthy to be praise. We all should humble ourself and don't blame the weather, nor the pilot nor the airport run ways. Our heavenly father was amongst this situation and all lives were saved. Let us just thanks and praises for everyone is alive and well. Glory be to God. (message from the Cayman Islands)
hey
I want to no what was the cause of the plane crash email me at sshanoy@yahoo.com
CRASH LANDED??
WHY DO THE SAY CRASH LANDED THE AIRCRAFT WAS OK UNTILL IT LANDED
THE QUESTION IS WHAT REALLY HAPPEN DURING THE LANDING PHASE ALL THE SPECULATION THE IS TOSSED AROUND REALLY SHOULD NOT AFFECT THIS AIRCRAFT (OVERLOAD WITH FUEL/FUEL FERRY NO NO WET RUNWAY NO
RUN WAY LIGHT NOT WORKING NO BAD VISIBILITY NO!
WHY I SAY NO TO ALL THIS? IS ITS THE PILOT'S JUDGMENT IF VISIBILITY IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR A LANDING REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER AND HAVING TO SHOOT A NON- PRECISION APPROACH DOWN TO ABOUT 800FT IF HE COULD NOT SEE THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT A MISS APPROACH WOULD BE IS NEXT CHOICE HE WOULD GO TO MONTEGO BAY (SANGSTER INTL 20 MINUTES OR LESS AWAY WHERE THE IS A PRECISION APPROACH WITH LOWER APP ALT LESS THAN 600 FT AND RADAR GUIDANCE TO LAND AS FOR OVERLOAD EVEN IF IT WAS OVERLOADED FROM THEIR DEPARTURE POINT IT WOULD BURN OFF ENOUGH FUEL TO BE IN THE LANDING LOAD LIMIT (WIGHT AND BALANCE ) IS VERY IMPORTANT IN AIRCRAFT SO THAT WOULD NOT BE A OVERSIGHT DURING START OF FLIGHT DISPATCHER WOULD SEE TO THAT.
SO IF THAY CHOOSE TO FERRY FUEL ITS HAS NO BEARING ON THIS CRASH LANDING HALF-WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY IS WHERE MY ATTENTION IS WHY DID HE LAND HALF WAY DOWN HE SHOULD KNOW THE RUNWAY LENGTH LESS THAN 8000FT + OR - A FEW HUNDRED FEET WHY DID I OVERSHOOT THE PIANO KEYS(LANDING LINES ) WHY DID HE NOT DO A GO AROUND THE AIRCRAFT WOULD STILL BE UP TO SPEED NO OBSTACLE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY ?TAILWIND OR NOT IT A BIG GOOF BY THE PILOT I WOULD NOT LAND A SMALL AIRCRAFT HALF WAY DOWN A RUNWAY UNLESS I HAD ENGINE FAILURE OR NOT ENOUGH FUEL FUEL TO GO AROUND
I AM THINKING THEY HAD A FLAME OUT! SINCE IT WAS RAINING! THAT MAY EXPLAIN NO TRUST REVERSERS TO HEL SLOW THE AIRCRAFT?? THIS IS ONLY MY GUESS AND AS A FELLOW PILOT AND MY KNOWLEDGE OF OPPERATING OUT OF THE AIRPORT MKJP IS A HARD TO SEE FROM OUTSIDE WHAT REALLY WENT ON DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND AND AFTER LET JUST WAIGHT UNTILL CAA/FAA CONCLUDE THEIR INVESTIGATION THEN WE WILL LEARN FROM THE MISTAKE OF THE PILOTS
YOURS TRULY
D.MILLER
American Airlines Boeing 737 crash pics
Pics can be seen here: http://www.fashionsjamaica.com/aaaircraft.html
Thank God no one has died
Thank God no one has died
God is Merciful
Indeed, God is truly merciful.
WONDERFUL
WE SERVE A MIGHTY GOD, HE IS ALWAYS PROTECTING US EVEN WHEN WE DO NOT DESERVE IT.JEHOVIAH RAFA
when Christ is in the vessel we can smile at a plane crash.
All the passengers that was on board needs to thank god this is the first time in history that a plane crash, broke in three pieces and don't go up in flames. This is nothing else but a miracle. God is the onlyone who made all of this possible.
QUESTION: WHAT TIME DID THE AMBULANCE ARRIVED? WHO IS TELLING THE LIE? DID IT ARRIVED 20 MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH OR FIVE MINUTES?
paddy-5
JESUS is everywhere, even in the middle of a plane crash so let us give him all the praises
GOD PROVED HIMSELF
ALL THE PEOPLE IN THAT PLANE COULD HAVE DIED BUT BECAUSE OF THE GRACE OF GOD HE HAS SPARED YOU GUYS LIFE AND THANK GOD YOU ALL ARE O.K. SOME OF YOU JUST MIGHT HAVE SUFFERED FROM BROKEN HAND AND SO ON MY QUESTION IS "HOW THE PLANE GET OFF THE RUNWAY?
American Airlines
We see the hand of Almighty GOD as He alone performed a miracle.
Our GOD is good give HIm the Praise as in Psalm 117, give hIM the Praise.
Thank You Almighty Father for being the miracle working GOD that You are... Amen.. A special blessing upon all the families that are involved and the staff of American Airlines.. in Jesus name amen.
HI
A LIFE
HI
A LIFE
Speedy recovery!!
Wishing all those injured a speedy recovery. Makes you wonder what the HELL was going through those pilots heads!
God is good, and merciful.
God is so merciful,why not give him the praise,he works a miracle,
thank God nobody died, or seriously injuried.
CLOSE CALL
JAMAIC IS A BLESSED COUNTRY. GOD AWAYS WATHCHES OVER THAT COUNTRY.
Error in News Report
While Milton Walker did a very good job reporting the news he is not the head of TV Jamaica (TVJ) but rather the head if the News Department of the media house.
Error in News Report
While Milton Walker did a very good job reporting the news he is not the head of TV Jamaica (TVJ) but rather the head if the News Department of the media house.
air line disaster
You can tell you have jamaicans are on board as they always clap and give thanks to God when their planes have landed. We are a God fearing, god worshiping nation inspite of those who try to make us seem otherwise. We are a blessed nation. May God be with jamaica forever and may God continue to bless and cover the great United States of America
MIRACLE AT CHRISTMAS
GOD IS GOOD. WE MUST THANK HIM AND GIVE HIM THE PRAISE.
Law suits?
What a terrible story - thank goodness no one was killed. Imagine clapping when the plane touches down and then BOOM!??! http://tictacdo.com/ttd/Survive-a-Plane-Crash - found this resouce for the paranoid. But you know… better safe than sorry! I wonder if American Airlines will face a slew of lawsuits now from those injured. It would be justified!!!
Escape Ramps for airplanes
In order to avoid planes breaking in half after shooting off the runway, why isn't the land surface right after the end of the runway kept flat? Maybe an extra 500 meters or so of this surface could be treated with a special substance (Gravel Pit) that could drastically lower the speed of the airplanes before stopping abruptly. Something similar to the escape ramps for trucks on mountainous roads.
GOD IS A GOOD AN ALL MI WA FI
GOD IS A GOOD AN ALL MI WA FI SEH MI COUNTRY BLESS ITS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD SOMETHING SO IMPOSSIBLE
thank GOD no one died
thank GOD no one died
Rediculous
Who made the error to allow this plane to land in such bad conditions. Fire them. We shouldnt tolerate such bad decisions that can impact very many lives.
Dozens injured as US flight overshoots runway
May we give praise to almighty God for his protection to all on board a greate Xmass Happy Xmass to U all on board.
JAMAICA IS THE BEST
HOW IN THE HISTORY OF JAMAICA, NOTHING THAT IS SO BAD NEVER TOOK PLACE BEFORE. JAMAICA IS SO BLESS AND SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE, HOW CAN A PLANE CRASH AND WORST EVEN BROKEN INTO TWO? NO ONE HAD DIED ONLY A FEW INJURIES AND BRUISES. GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS JAMAICA OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.
the air disaster and the earthquake, the hurricane flood concern
Jamaican newspaper: the air disaster and the earthquake, the hurricane flood concerns. The attention guards against www.shaodl.com.sspl7.htm
Shaodonglin Shanghai China
Are there any deaths?
Are there any deaths?
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