Pasto, Colombia – Chilling passenger video from an Avianca Airlines flight captures the raw terror inside the cabin as the plane repeatedly failed to land at one of the world's most dangerous mountaintop airports, forcing desperate prayers, screams, vomiting, and panic among travelers before a safe diversion.
The dramatic incident occurred on Tuesday on Avianca flight AV9401 from Bogotá to the remote Andean city of Pasto. Thick fog and powerful winds hammered the Airbus A320, compelling pilots to abort two landing attempts at Antonio Nariño Airport, according to footage widely shared on social media and airline reports.
Cellphone videos show frightened passengers white-knuckling their armrests, openly praying, sobbing and covering their faces as the jet bucked through the turbulent approaches. Flight attendants could be heard urging everyone to "breathe deeply" in a bid to restore calm. Multiple travelers reportedly vomited, fainted, or suffered panic attacks during the white-knuckle chaos.
Antonio Nariño Airport sits nearly 6,000 feet above sea level on a narrow tabletop plateau carved into the Andes Mountains. The short runway – frequently likened to an "aircraft carrier" because of the sheer drops at both ends is notorious for sudden weather shifts, strong crosswinds and fog that can appear out of nowhere. Pilots need special training to operate there, and safety experts have long flagged it as one of commercial aviation’s most challenging destinations.
After the second go-around, the captain wisely diverted back to Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport. Several hours later, once visibility improved, the same aircraft took off again and landed safely in Pasto.
Avianca stressed that safety was never compromised. “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,” the airline said, adding that “Safety is our priority.”
No injuries were reported, and all passengers eventually reached their destination. But the harrowing experience has gone viral, shining a fresh spotlight on the risks of flying into high-altitude, weather-plagued airports in rugged terrain.
