Passengers walk away from Columbian crash

A Boeing 737 jetliner carrying 131 people crashed in a thunderstorm and broke into three pieces as it slid onto the runway on a Colombian island.

Colombian Air Force Colonel David Barrero said officials were investigating reports the plane had been hit by lightning before crashing on San Andres Island, a popular resort area east of the Nicaraguan coast.

San Andres Governor Pedro Gallardo said 125 passengers and six crew members had been aboard Aires Flight 8520, but the only person killed was Amar Fernandez de Barreto, 68.

One official said an initial examination indicated that de Barreto may have died of a heart attack.

Passengers said the pilot had announced an impending landing and all seemed normal as the plane descended through rain and lightning.

But suddenly it hit short and then slid onto the runway on its belly as the fuselage fractured. It wound up on one end of the runway, crumpled and in pieces, as passengers scrambled or were helped to safety.