Bullock safe after plane crash

Sandra Bullock and co-star Benjamin Bratt at the première of Miss Congenialty

Hollywood actress Sandra Bullock has escaped unhurt after her private aircraft crashed in the US.

The aircraft - a twin engine Hawker - missed a runway while landing in blizzard conditions in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the early hours of Wednesday, Bullock's publicist said.

Bullock, 36, - best known for her two Speed movies - was on board with two crew members and another person, all of whom escaped without injury.

However, the aircraft - owned by an investment company - was heavily damaged in the accident on Wednesday morning.

Bullock shot to fame in Speed

According to airport officials, the plane's main nose landing gear was sheared off. Both wings also suffered extensive damage.

The aircraft pilot attempted to land between a runway and taxiway at the airport, situated in the north west of the state.

However, the harsh, icy weather - which included a high cross wind - would have made landing more difficult than usual, added the officials.

As a result, they said they thought the pilot may have been disorientated and mistaken ground lights for the middle of the runway.

A similar accident occurred last winter at the airport when another private plane landed in the same place.

Bullock and Sir Michael in her latest movie Miss Congeniality

Airport officials said there were plans in the pipeline to install new runway lights.

Bullock gained international stardom for her role alongside Keanu Reeves in the high action thriller Speed in 1994.

The sequel came out in 1997, this time starring Bullock and Jason Patric.

In 1999, she starred with Ben Affleck in Forces of Nature, playing two strangers who become romantically involved after their plane skids off a runway.

Her latest venture is the action-packed spy comedy Miss Congeniality, also featuring William Shatner, Sir Michael Caine and Benjamin Bratt

Miss Congeniality opens in the US on Friday after it received its Hollywood première on 14 December.