Washington, Dec 24 - US investigators and Jamaican authorities were examining the wreckage of a passenger jet that crashed Wednesday while landing in heavy rain at the Kingston airport in Jamaica.

The American Airlines jet overshot the runway, crossed a road and stopped on a beach just metres from the sea at about 10 p. m. Tuesday. The Boeing 737-800 broke in two and more than 40 passengers were hurt in the crash landing at the Norman Manley International Airport, the Jamaica Observer newspaper said.

The US National Transportation Safety Board had sent a team to investigate the crash. The plane began its journey in Washington before flying to Miami and then onto Kingston.

"The plane crashed and broke almost in front of me," passenger Naomi Palmer was quoted as saying.

Information Minister Daryl Vaz told the newspaper that there were no reports of fatalities.

The competing Jamaica Gleaner said three passengers were seriously injured and others were hurt when flight 331 skidded off the runway.

The plane was carrying 148 passengers and six crew members, the airline said. (dpa)