Chaos reigned at Bermuda Airport yesterday as outraged New York-bound passengers were left stranded for more than 13 hours.

Some pointed an accusing finger at American Airlines for a saga of slip-ups.

It started when the 7 a.m. American flight to JFK was delayed because of a mechanical problem.

An appeal apparently went out for spare parts to be brought in on an incoming flight.

But one passenger told The Royal Gazette it was later announced the plane arrived without the equipment.

"People were told over the public address someone had forgotten to put the parts on board,'' she said.

It was not until 8.21 p.m. last night that the passengers' ordeal ended when they boarded another JFK-bound plane.

Meanwhile, American Airlines passengers hoping to board the 1.35 p.m. flight to New York faced their own problems.

Several were told the plane was overbooked -- even though they had seat numbers -- and would have to wait for later flights.

Among those turned away was holidaymaker Miss Esther Williams, a young teacher from Wales in the United Kingdom.

"The plane was apparently too small for us,'' said Miss Williams, forced to stay overnight in Bermuda with a friend. She added the plane had flown to New York with her luggage.

Miss Williams spoke of scenes of turmoil and confusion at the Civil Air Terminal throughout the day.

Scores of frustrated and bewildered people crammed the American Airlines departure gate, she said.

Many, a lot of them visitors, had been waiting since 5 a.m. to board the morning flight.

As confusion mounted, there was just one American representative fielding the flood of inquiries, said Miss Williams. "He didn't seem to know what was going on. The departure lounge was absolutely chaotic.

"There were people being hassled, and the atmosphere wasn't too good at all.

"There were people everywhere, including babies and children. It was chaos.

The worst thing was not knowing what was happening.'' Miss Williams said at one stage fed-up passengers were given the choice of staying overnight at the Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort.

"But then they were told they couldn't do that, because the hotel was full!''.

Miss Williams said she would now miss her first day at school because of the delay. She added she was hoping to catch another American flight today.

"I can only keep my fingers crossed the same thing won't happen again,'' she laughed.

American Airlines Bermuda representative Mrs. Carole DeCouto was yesterday said to be on vacation and unavailable for comment.

Airport manager Mr. Larry Lachapelle was also off the Island, and Civil Aviation director Mr. Jim Pitman could not be contacted.

A spokesman for the airline's passenger reservations and information office said the 7 a.m. flight had been delayed by a mechanical problem.

It had been rescheduled for 3 p.m., and he was awaiting an update, he added.

American staff at the Airport last night said they were rushed off their feet trying to find alternative flights for the passengers.

"I've been here since 5.30 a.m. like some of the passengers and I can understand how they feel,'' one of them said. "We are all a bit stressed, and doing what we can to help.'' Passengers were later put on an 8.21 p.m. flight, due to arrive in New York at 9.48 p.m.