23 December 2009

Accident: American B738 at Kingston on Dec 22nd 2009, overran runway on landing


The tail separated (Photo: AP/Lloyd Robinson)

By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Dec 23rd 2009 08:21Z, last updated Wednesday, Dec 23rd 2009 14:41Z
http://avherald.com/h?article=424a11b1&opt=0

An American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N977AN performing flight AA-331 from Miami,FL (USA) to Kingston (Jamaica) KMIA MKJP with 148 passengers and 6 crew, overran Kingston's runway 12 while landing in heavy rain and poor visibility at 10:22pm local time (03:22Z Dec 23rd). The passengers were evacuated. 44 passengers were taken to local hospitals, 4 of them received serious injuries. The airplane received substantial damage.

American Airlines confirmed the overrun and reported, that no critical injuries occured. The airplane received substantial damages, the fuselage cracked, the right hand engine was torn off and the main gear collapsed.

"The care of our passengers and crew members is our highest priority, and we will offer all the assistance necessary," said Gerard Arpey, the airline's chairman and chief executive officer. Passengers reported, that the flight had been turbulent forcing the beverage service to be cancelled. The cockpit crew warned of more turbulence just prior to landing.
After touch down the airplane appeared to bounce and started to skid after the second touch down. Baggage fell down from the overhead lockers. After the airplane came to a stand still, cabin crew opened the emergency exits. The airplane came to a stand still about 3 meters short of the Caribbean Sea.
American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N977AN (Actual Aircraft) www.jetphotos.net
Airport officials reported, that the airplane overran the runway, broke through the perimeter fence, travelled across a road and came to a stop at the beach. 44 passengers were taken to local hospitals, 4 of them received serious injuries. Newest reports indicate, that both engines were torn off the airframe.



The flight originated from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA)in the Washington, D.C., area before landing in Miami (KMIA) and then heading to Jamaica, the airline said.
A Radio Jamaica reporter, Kirk Abraham, said it had been raining in the area when the plane failed to stop and ran into the fence past the end of the runway.

American Airlines Information
Anyone who believes they have family members or friends aboard Flight 331 may contact American Airlines at the following toll-free numbers: (800) 245-0999 for calls originating in the United States; (800) 872-2881 for calls originating in Jamaica. Family members from other locations outside the U.S. may contact American through the AT&T Direct Access system. Callers should dial the local AT&T Access telephone number, which can be found at www.usa.att.com/traveler, for the country from which they are calling.
Once in the AT&T system, callers can then dial American toll-free at (800) 245-0999. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin islands can call the (800) 245-0999 number directly. Non-family members are asked not to call those numbers so the lines can be kept available for those who truly need them.
Weather as reported from airport control tower before time of accident.
Metars:
MKJP 230430Z 34011KT 44000 RA BKN014 FEW016CB BKN100 21/13 Q1013 RESHRA
MKJP 230400Z 32014KT 11500 +SHRA BKN014 FEW016CB SCT028 BKN090 21/18 Q1013 RERA
MKJP 230325Z 32011KT 22000 +SHRA BKN014 FEW016CB SCT030 BKN100 21/19 Q1014 RETSRA
MKJP 230300Z 32008KT 3000 +SHRA BKN014 FEW016CB SCT030 BKN100 21/20 Q1014 RETSRA
MKJP 230228Z 31009KT 5000 TSRA BKN014 FEW016CB SCT030 BKN100 22/19 Q1013
MKJP 230200Z 30012KT 5000 SHRA BKN014 SCT030 BKN100 22/20 Q1013 RERA
MKJP 230100Z 040033KT 5000 SHRA BKN016 SCT030 BKN100 23/20 Q1013 RERA


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It appears that AA 331 landed with an 11 kt tailwind with some thunderstorms at the time of of arrival. That is a No No
Captain Nicholas Gravino