One of plane's engines was due an overhaul
American Airlines spokesman Al Becker has said one of the engines had its last overhaul nearly 10,000 hours previously.
Engine one had 694 hours since its last overhaul.
The number two, right engine, had 9,788 hours since its last overhaul.
An engine normally has an overhaul every 10,000 hours, Mr Becker said.
The last time the number two engine was inspected was 2,887 hours ago.
He said the plane was one of 35 A300 airbuses in its fleet.
It was built in Toulouse, France and entered service in July 1988.
It had its last maintenance ‘A’ check on November 11 this year, and its last, more comprehensive, ‘B’ check on October 3.
Its last main base visit for a major overhaul was December 9 1999. It was due for another main base visit for July next year.
