US plane crashes in Jamaica

Kingston, 23 Dec-(ANA)-An American Airlines passenger jet has crashed and broken into two after landing at the international airport in Kingston, the capital of the Caribbean nation of Jamaica, according to local media.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737, overshot the runway while landing in heavy rain on Tuesday night, the US Federal Aviation Authority said.

Forty passengers were  injured when Flight 331 from Miami, Florida, skidded off the runway, the Jamaica Observer reported.

"The plane crashed and broke almost in front of me," Naomi Palmer, a passenger, told the newspaper.

The Jamaica Gleaner reported that three passengers were seriously injured.

Charley Wilson, an American Airlines spokesman, said the aircraft came to a safe stop and there were no immediate reports of fatalities.

He said all passengers were off the aircraft.

The flight was carrying 148 passengers plus six crew members, media reports said.

It took off from Miami airport at 8:52pm (local time) on Tuesday and was scheduled to arrive at Kingston airport at 10:27pm. (ANA)

FA/ANA/23 December 2009---