The World : Mexico Jet Nearly Crashes

Mexico’s presidential jet, with President Miguel de la Madrid and seven Cabinet members aboard, nearly crashed on Saturday after taking off from the hurricane-ravaged island of Cozumel, a government spokesman said. The spokesman, who was aboard the Boeing 727, said the craft was suddenly shaken and began descending sharply from an altitude of about 2,000 feet shortly after takeoff. The pilot managed to level off at between 800 and 1,000 feet, he said. The plane, which was able to maintain altitude but unable to climb, flew on to Cancun, where it landed without incident about 15 minutes later. The presidential party then transferred to three smaller planes. Aviation inspectors are examining the craft to see what caused the incident, he said.