American Airlines Flight #331 From Miami to Kingston, Jamaica, Skids Off the Runway in Torrential Rains, 40 Passengers Injured

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the injured passengers on American Airlines Flight#331, that skidded across the tarmac at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, JA, Tuesday night. The flight, carrying 154 people from Miami, experienced difficulties due to the heavy rainfalls that have caused flooding on some parts of the island. According to officials on the island, the plane stopped just short of the Caribbean Sea, along Port Royal and about 40 passengers were injured.

American Airlines Flight #331, CVM Television

American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith told the Associated Press that the impact cracked the fuselage, crushed the left landing gear and separated both engines from the Boeing 737-800.

Some 44 people were taken to hospitals with broken bones and back pains and four were seriously hurt, airport and Jamaican government officials said. American Airlines said two people were admitted to the hospital and nobody suffered life-threatening injuries.

Heavy turbulence on the way to Jamaica had forced the crew to halt the beverage service three times before giving up, Pilar Abaurrea of Keene, New Hampshire, told The Associated Press by phone. The pilot warned of more turbulence just before landing but said it likely wouldn't be much worse, she said.

U.S. investigators will analyze whether the plane should have been landing in such bad weather, Smith said, adding that other planes had landed safely in the heavy rain.

The plane originated at Reagan National Airport in Washington and took off from Miami International Airport at 8:52 p.m. and arrived in Kingston at 10:22 p.m. It was carrying 148 passengers and a crew of six, American said. The majority of those aboard were Jamaicans coming home for Christmas, Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz said. Source: Fox News

My parents, who retired and moved back to Jamaica four years ago, told me about the heavy rains that caused flooding in some places on the island yesterday. There are so many low-lying areas on the islands that have been impacted by the inclement weather. I am thankful that none of the passengers were killed and the plane did not land in the water, which is quite deep. Christmas is a time when many Jamaicans return home and it is always a time of great excitement on the island. It will be a bitter-sweet moment for the families of the injured.

Read more information about the crash at the Jamaica Gleaner.