Cleanup following airport crash still ongoing

Curious onlookers view the damaged American Airlines airplane, flight AA 331, which overshot the Norman Manley International Airport runway following an attempted landing. (JIS Photo)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, December 28, 2009 – Work to remove the American Airlines plane which was destroyed after overshooting the runway at the Norman Manley International Airport a week ago is still continuing.

The Port Royal Road which the plane skidded across after crashing the airport border fence was closed up until the early hours of this morning to facilitate the removal of another section of the aircraft.

Earlier efforts saw the tail section being removed in an operation which began over the weekend.

Seven representatives from American Airlines arrived in the island from Puerto Rico, to assist with dismantling of the aircraft.

The plane, carrying 148 persons, plus a crew of six, from Miami, ended up on the beach across the Port Royal Road during the botched landing.

There were no fatalities but several people were taken to hospital with various injuries, including broken limbs, cuts and bruises. One of them had surgery for a broken nose.

Director of Flight Safety at the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Nari Williams-Singh, and a team from the Authority are leading the investigations into the incident, assisted by a six-member team from the United States National Transportation Safety Board.

Meantime, passengers are still awaiting the return of their checked luggage.

Officials say the approximately 300 pieces of baggage are being checked and the airline has compensated each passenger US$5,000 to cover the cost of not being able to retrieve their luggage on time.