At least one person died and five others are injured after the crash of a Boeing 737 on the runway at 1:49 am, local time in San Andres Island, Colombia. The jet, carrying 131 people broke into three pieces.
The Aires flight departed Bogoto around midnight and, according to Colombian Air Force Colonel David Barrero, officials are investigating reports the aircraft experienced a lightning strike. Of the 125 passengers and six crewmembers, it is believed the only fatality was 65-year-old Amar Fernandez de Barreto. Thaindian claims that up to 114 were injured.
San Andres Island’s airport has closed its 7,545-foot (2,300-meter) runway until the wreckage can be removed. “It was a miracle and we have to give thanks to God,” said Pedro Gallardo, governor of the resort destination island with around 78,000 inhabitants, adding it was lucky there were not more casualties.
National police director Orlando Paez in an interview with The Star said a group of police officers awaiting the plane for their own flight back to the mainland assisted with rescue efforts. Barrero commented that “the skill of the pilot kept the plane from colliding with the airport.” The landing occurred during a storm.
Source: Wikinews.org
Boeing Statement on Aires S.A. Accident
SEATTLE, Aug. 16, 2010 – Boeing extends its profound condolences and wishes for speedy recovery to the families and friends of those lost or injured in the crash of an Aires S.A. 737-700 in San Andres, Colombia. Boeing is sending a team to provide technical support to the Colombia DJAC to assist in the agency’s investigation of the accident, at the invitation of the Colombian authorities.
