Travel Tips

Dozens Injured After American Airlines Flight Skids off Runway

Locations in this article:  Buffalo, NY Miami, FL

American Airlines LogoDozens of passengers were injured when American Airlines Flight 331 skidded off the runway while attempting to land in Jamaica late Tuesday night.

The plane overshot the runway while attempting to land in the heavy rain, plowing through a fence and crashing into a sandy embankment before settling less than 10 feet from the Caribbean Sea.

Keep reading to find out more details, including what factors may have led to the crash.


Passengers inside the Boeing 737 have described the plane breaking into pieces during the impact, with pictures from the accident clearly showing two pieces of fuselage. However, American Airlines representatives have claimed the plane only sustained some cracks and damage to the landing gear.

American MD-80Although none of the 154 passengers and crew aboard the flight from Miami were killed, more than 90 were taken to nearby hospitals with cuts, bruises and broken bones.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will now begin investigating how the plane overshot the runway.

The heavy rain and slick runway appear to be possible factors, but airplane incident investigations can take months to complete.

In addition to examining the how the plane and pilots operated, investigators will likely explore whether or not pilot fatigue played into the accident.

By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related Links: CNN, Wall Street Journal, American Airlines Statement, Miami Herald

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