American Airlines Flight Skids Down Runway of Jamaican Airport

By Alicia Cruz
Theblackurbantimes.com


photos/Robinson for AP

An American Airlines flight from Miami skidded down the runway of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica last night with more than 150 souls aboard. SEE CNN VIDEO BELOW

Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz said no fatalities have been reported, but 91 people suffered broken bones and complained of neck injuries after Flight 331 overshot a runway and skidded within 10 to 15 feet from the Caribbean Sea.

Crews evacuated passengers, who had to walk along a beach in the rain to board buses to return to the air terminal. Only four of the passengers suffered serious injuries.

Video footage by the CNN shows the plane's fuselage was cracked, both engines broke off from the impact, and the left main landing gear collapsed and several passengers leaving the plane with cuts on their faces or bloody lips, visibly shaken as they left the terminal.

Passenger Robert Mais told The Gleaner newspaper of Jamaica that he could hear the engine's reverse throttle but that the plane didn't seem to slow as it skittered down the runway. He said he felt rain coming through the roof of the darkened jet after the impact and that baggage from the overhead compartments was scattered throughout the cabin.

The Boeing 737-800 originated from the Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington, DC. The flight took off from Miami International Airport at 8:52 p.m. and arrived in Kingston, Jamaica at 10:22 p.m. It was carrying 154 passengers and crew. The majority of those aboard were Jamaican nationals going home for the Christmas holiday.

Hundreds of passengers waiting to board other flights out of Kingston waited hours for officials to clear their flights for takeoff. Flights resumed and the airport reopened after the delays as officials worried about the tail from Flight 331 would hinder the visibility of flights taking off or landing at the airport.

Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz said most of the 91 injured passengers have already been released from hospitals, but four may have to stay overnight. Stay tuned to TBUT.com for future update son this breaking story.