Florida plane accident: Landing feature failed on aircraft

A landing feature was "inoperative" on a passenger plane that slid off a runway in the US state of Florida on Friday, investigators have said. The Boeing 737, operated by Miami Air International, ended up in a river after landing during a thunderstorm.
Officials said 21 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, and at least four pets kept in the hold died. They are now looking into the failure of the "thrust reverser", as well as a request by the pilot to change runways.
The flight, which had flown from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to a military base in the city of Jacksonville, is said to have landed heavily in the storm before skidding into St John's River.
The 136 passengers and seven crew members on board evacuated the Boeing 737-800 via its wings.
Investigators have obtained the flight data recorder but the cockpit voice recorder remains in a submerged area of the plane. Authorities must wait until the remaining fuel - around 1,200 gallons (4,500L) - is removed before attempting to salvage any evidence.