The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation into the Tuesday night incident at Miami international airport where a British Airways Boeing 747 overran the end of a runway. The incident, in which no injuries were reported, become immediate international news after it was reported that British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his family were aboard.

The facts so far:

At approximately 6:15 pm EST, December 26, British Airways flight 209 from London landed on runway 30 at Miami International Airport. The aircraft was a Boeing 747-400, registration G-BNLM.

After slowing to taxi speed, the aircraft taxied beyond the end of the runway and went into the paved runway overrun area. In the process, it knocked down two approximately 12-inch-high approach lights for runway 12.

The aircraft was towed onto a taxiway, at which time it proceeded under its own power to the gate. An inspection revealed no damage to the aircraft or its tires, and it subsequently departed on its scheduled return flight to London.

There had been 343 people aboard the aircraft during the time of the incident.