Backgrounder: Major plane crashes in recent years
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| The wreckage of a Colombian plane that crashed is seen on the airport of the Colombian island of San Andres, on Aug. 16, 2010. One person died Monday after the Colombian plane with 131 people aboard was hit by lightning and made a crash landing on the Colombian island of San Andres, local media reported. (Xinhua) |
BOGOTA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- One person died Monday after a Colombian plane with 131 people aboard was hit by lightning and made a crash landing on the Colombian island of San Andres, local media reported.
The reports quoted aviation officials as saying the plane, owned by the private Colombian carrier Aires, was forced to crash-land after being struck by lightning.
One passenger was killed and 127 others were injured in the incident, officials said.
San Andres Gov. Pedro Gallardo said the Boeing 737 aircraft was hit by lightning when it was landing, and broke into three pieces on the runway after the crash-landing.
He said the only person killed was Amar Fernandez de Barreto, 65. Reports said the victim died of a heart attack.
"It was a miracle and we have to give thanks to God," the governor said.
The island's airport was shut off to allow an investigation into the incident.
