40 Hurt as US Jet Misses Jamaica Runway

American Airlines flight goes down in driving rain
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 23, 2009 12:55 AM CST
Updated Dec 23, 2009 7:10 AM CST
40 Hurt as US Jet Misses Jamaica Runway
A passenger of American Airlines flight AA331 from Miami carries a baby inside a blanket as she is escorted away from Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston Jamaica, after the plane made a crash landing, injuring more than 40 people, at least 4 seriously, according to officials, just after...   (AP Photo/LLoyd Robinson)

Some 40 passengers were injured early this morning when an American Airlines jet overshot a runway in Jamaica. The Boeing 737 broke into three pieces as it plowed through a fence in driving rain, Reuters reports. Four people were reported to be in serious condition, though none of the injuries was believed to be life-threatening. Flight 331, originating from Washington DC, had made a stop in Miami before continuing to Jamaica, and was carrying 148 passengers and six crewmembers.

The plane "just slid off the runway," according to a passenger account. "It went through a fence, over a road and ended on the beach." The cause of the crash was not immediately apparent. Officials are investigating. Passengers said the entire flight was turbulent, and the pilot had warned of more turbulence just before landing.
(More Jamaica stories.)

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