ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

A team from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority was scheduled to arrive in Dominica yesterday to investigate the circumstances which led a small plane to run off the runway at the island's main airport on the weekend, officials said.

On Saturday, the private jet carrying two crew members and four passengers ran off the runway at the Melville Hall Airport as it touched down, forcing the closure of the facility and bringing the flow of traffic on the nearby road to a halt.

According to general manager of the Dominica Air and Seaport Authority, Benoit Bardouille, the aircraft did not stop when it touched down on runway, but skidded off to the nearby Melville Road.

He said the fire crew stationed at the airport responded immediately and passengers on the aircraft were unharmed.

"It landed in the roadway to the west towards the seaside. The Melville Hall fire crew went into action and averted any further damages that could of have resulted from fire. The passengers and crew came out unharmed."