Manila  - A domestic passenger plane crashed into a barrier in an airport runway in the central Philippines on Sunday, injuring three people, officials said.

The Zest Airways plane "undershot" the runway of the Caticlan airport in Aklan province, 330 kilometres south of Manila, as it was landing, said Ben Ciron, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority.

He said two children and one crew member suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The accident forced the temporary closure of the Caticlan airport, a connecting point to the Philippines' top tourist destination, Boracay Island, famous for its white-sand beaches.

Ciron said the Zest Airways plane, an MA60 turboprop, was carrying 24 passengers when the accident happened.

According to initial field reports on the accident, strong winds caused the plane to hit the barrier of the Caticlan airport. Its landing gear also exploded, causing it to swerve. (dpa)