Bermuda went on a full-scale plane crash alert yesterday when an American Airlines' jet prepared to land with just one working engine.

But the drama of a crash landing was avoided at the last minute when the plane's second engine started firing again just 80 miles from the Island.

Thirty-five firefighters and 15 fire trucks were on standby preparing for the worst when the Boeing 767-300, carrying 141 people, touched down safely at 2.15 p.m.

An armada of emergency vehicles -- including fire support cars, Police cars and Marine Police boats -- were also on high alert in case the Airport became a major catastrophe zone.

Airport crews were also placed on emergency notice as officials anxiously waited for the London-to-Miami jet, flight AA57, to approach Bermuda.

It was the second Bermuda crisis in 24 hours for American Airlines, who saw a plane return to New York in high winds on Sunday night, finally arriving 15 hours late on Monday afternoon.

Carole DeCouto, the airline's Bermuda manager, said last night that the Miami-bound jet only re-routed to Bermuda as a precaution.

She said: "One engine developed a fault and it was shut down. But both were running after the plane had landed. I'm not going to speculate on the situation because I wasn't on the aircraft.

"They landed here safely and that's it. After that, the mechanics and the captain ran some tests on the engines and they couldn't locate the problem.'' The twin-engine plane's 128 passengers and 13 crew were held up for nearly five hours after the emergency landing, waiting for their onward journey in the Airport's transit lounge.

Another jet was flown in from Miami to take them on to Florida.

Mrs. DeCouto added: "That aircraft came in at 6.10 and left at 6.45. It was all arranged as speedily as possible.'' Engineers from Aircraft Services Bermuda were still working on the stricken airliner late last night.

It is expected to stay in Bermuda until technicians are convinced no new parts are needed.

An Airport insider added: "It was pretty lucky for all those involved. We had the report that the plane was coming in on just one engine.

"We'd been told the plane had suffered number two engine shutdown. There were also high winds at the time the plane was coming in.'' It is understood air traffic controllers radioed the pilot and asked him to re-start the faulty engine just as the plane was starting on its landing path.

The captain is believed to have reported back that both engines were working again.

Fire Service spokesman Lt. Jon Thompson said: "We had the first call at 12.05 that there was an aircraft in flight, signalling a full emergency.

"It was down an engine, reportedly flying in on just one engine. But there was no incident on landing and all the crews were stood down.'' Eleven fire trucks raced to the airport from Hamilton. Another four were dispatched from St. George's.

The Airport's crash-fire-rescue teams were also on alert, prepared for an emergency.

Police cars were parked along Kindley Field Road waiting for the drama to unfold, while Marine Police boats stood by off Ferry Reach until it was clear the plane had touched down safely.

A spokesman for Harbour Radio said marine officials were also holding their breath as the plane approached.

He said Police informed them that a major drama could be about to unfold and they had already run through contingency plans.

Bermuda responds to air alert He added: "We knew the plane was coming in an engine down. The Police kept us fully briefed.

"And we were prepared to help co-ordinate any contingency plans which may have been necessary in the event of a major incident.

"As it happened, we just monitored the situation as the plane was coming in but it was quite a serious situation for a while.'' Former Transport Minister Erwin Adderley heaped praise on the emergency services who activated a full-scale disaster plan at the Airport yesterday.

Mr. Adderley, now the United Bermuda Party's transport spokesman, said he went out on repeated drills with Airport crash-fire-rescue teams.

And the Pembroke West MP said last night: "I'm not in the least bit surprised that they were prepared for any eventuality today.

"Their work is very thorough, professional and dedicated. I have always been confident that Bermuda was well-served in the event of a real emergency.

"I went through several drills at the Airport when I was Minister and I was always impressed with the performance of the rescue and emergency teams.

"Thankfully, today went smoothly but I'm certain we would have been prepared even if the situation was worse.'' Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown was unavailable for comment last night.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro and David Skinner ENGINE TROUBLE -- Above: Mechanics survey the damage in engine number two on the Boeing 767-300. Below: American Airlines' flight AA57, from London Heathrow to Miami, touches down safely in Bermuda after flying over the Atlantic on just one engine.

Carole DeCouto IMPRESSED -- Erwin Adderley, who was full of praise for emergency services