Terrifying video shows plane passengers screaming in terror and vomiting after their flight aborted two separate landings at a notorious mountain airport.
Travelers were seen praying in their seats as treacherous weather conditions buffeted the plane on its approach to the remote Colombian city of Pasto almost 6,000 feet above sea level on Tuesday, Jam Press reported.
Cellphone footage filmed inside the cabin shows passengers gripping their seats and covering their faces as crewmembers urge them to “breathe deeply” as the Airbus 320 made two aborted descents into the airport amid low visibility, strong winds and thick fog.
Some travelers appeared to experience fainting, nausea, and panic attacks as Avianca Airlines flight AV9401 repeatedly failed to land.
After the second aborted attempt, the plane was forced to return to Colombia’s capital, Bogota, as the captain followed strict safety protocols rather than risk a dangerous touchdown.
The aircraft returned safely to Bogota to wait for improved conditions before departing again, landing safely in Pasto at around 2:37 local time.
No injuries were reported in Tuesday’s heart-stopping incident, although passengers were left shaken by the ordeal.
Pasto’s Antonio Narino Airport, located 5,951 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains, is infamous for its difficult conditions.
The weather can change rapidly because of the altitude, while the surrounding peaks require precise maneuvers.
Avianca confirmed that weather conditions at the airport didn’t meet its safety standards, forcing the turnaround.
“When conditions are not safe, pilots must abort the maneuver and try again or divert. It is a completely normal part of aerial safety protocols,” an airline spokesperson told Jam Press.
“Safety is our priority,” the spokesperson added.
