The wreckage of American Airlines flight 331 overlooks the sea across from the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The 737-800 series American Airlines plane which was destroyed during an accident at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday night will likely make its way into the country's thriving scrap-metal industry, experts tell The Gleaner.

"It is normal for the remains of such a crash to be used as scrap metal, once the insurance agencies conduct their investigations and are satisfied," a seasoned pilot with more than 20 years in the business told The Gleaner.

He said: "They will likely strip whatever they can strip, including the rudder, but the rest will go into the scrap-metal industry."

Plane damage

Broken into three pieces, the aircraft sustained damage to the wings, its landing gear was severed and its right engine was ripped off. The cockpit was also severely dented when the plane slammed into the sand across the Port Royal Road from the airport runway. The aircraft was carrying 148 passengers from Miami to Kingston.

It is believed that the pilot landed with a tailwind, which caused the aircraft to overshoot, as a result of the bad weather conditions the island was experiencing, compounded by a wet runway.

"The plane absorbed a lot of the impact of the crash, preventing casualties," said the pilot, who wished not to be identified.

The unit cost of the aircraft ranges between US$50 and US$85 million. The 737-800s form the replacement exercise from the airline's MD-80 fleet.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com