photo credit: Associated Press
An American Airlines 737-800 skid off the runway in Kingston, Jamaica last night during a rainstorm, seriously injuring two passengers (as well as the pilot) and sending an unspecified number to the hospital. Thankfully, there were no deaths, especially taking into consideration the picture above.
Preliminary reports indicated Flight 331 encountered thunderstorms en route from Miami to Kingston, and some passengers were quoted saying the jet skidded after touchdown and there was panic in the cabin. The jet’s fuselage cracked, both engines broke off from the impact and the left main landing gear collapsed, an American Airlines spokesman said.
The WSJ article implies that pilot error was to blame, though I will withhold judgement till the FAA investigation is complete.
Bottom line, it remains much safer to travel by plane than by auto, but we watch those monotonous safety videos every time we fly for a reason. I wonder how many passengers tried to take their carry-ons with them after the accident?
The pictures from this 738 are the first indication a LOT of people on FT had that the overwing exits are now hinged at the top and don’t require you to manhandle them inside or out of the aircraft.
I almost never fly the 738 and probably wasn’t in exit rows when I did. That’s my story as best I know. But a lot of people didn’t know it who fly them often too.