Passengers escape Jamaica jet crash

 

Almost 150 passengers escaped serious injury when their aircraft crashed on landing in bad weather at Kingston in Jamaica yesterday.

 

The American Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 aircraft overran the runway on landing at Norman Manley International Airport and broke apart.

 

The flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, operated into Miami International Airport, and then to Jamaica.

 

The aircraft was carrying 148 passengers and a crew of six.

 

Preliminary reports indicate there are no critical injuries, the airline said.

 

The carrier said it "cannot speculate as to possible causes of the incident".

 

"At this point, no additional details can be confirmed".

 

"The care of our passengers and crew members is our highest priority and we will offer all the assistance necessary," said airline chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey.

 

American Airlines said it was in contact with officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration and is co-operating fully with appropriate authorities.

 

Anyone who believes they have family members or friends aboard Flight 331 may contact American Airlines at the following toll-free numbers: (800) 245-0999 for calls originating in the United States; (800) 872-2881 for calls originating in Jamaica.

 

Family members from other locations outside the US may contact American through the AT&T Direct Access system. Callers should dial the local AT&T Access telephone number, which can be found at www.usa.att.com/traveler, for the country from which they are calling.

 

Once in the AT&T system, callers can then dial American toll-free at (800) 245-0999. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin islands can call the (800) 245-0999 number directly.

 

Non-family members are asked not to call those numbers so the lines can be kept available for those who truly need them, the airline said.

 

by Phil Davies