Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 2 August 1983
Aircraft Type: Boeing 727
Owner/operator: Pan American World Airways (Pan Am)
Location: Houston-Intercontinental Airport, TX (IAH) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 130
Component Affected: Aircraft cockpit door and aircraft control systems.Aircraft cockpit door and aircraft control systems.
Category: Unlawful Interference
A male passenger attempting to seize control of an aircraft shortly after takeoff from Miami, Florida, allegedly intending to fly to Cuba. He was apprehended by law enforcement after resisting and being subdued by his son and another passenger. He was sentenced to 20 years suspended and 12 years for interference with crew member.A male passenger attempting to seize control of an aircraft shortly after takeoff from Miami, Florida, allegedly intending to fly to Cuba. He was apprehended by law enforcement after resisting and being subdued by his son and another passenger. He was sentenced to 20 years suspended and 12 years for interference with crew member.
Description
Shortly after takeoff from Miami, FL, a male passenger went forward and attempted to open the cockpit door. He allegedly made a statement in Spanish to the effect that he intended to take command of the aircraft and fly it to Cuba. A passenger seated nearby who could speak Spanish told the hijacker that he could not take control of the aircraft and grabbed him. The passenger, assisted by his son and another passenger, quickly subdued the hijacker and tied him to a seat. The aircraft continued on to Houston where law enforcement authorities took the hijacker into custody. He was sentenced to 20 years suspended for air piracy, and 12 years for interference with crew member.
Primary Cause
Passenger attempting to seize control of an aircraft.Passenger attempting to seize control of an aircraft.Share on:
