Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 24 May 1972
Aircraft Type: Boeing 727-44
Owner/operator: South African Airways – SAA
Registration Number: ZS-SBE
Location: Blantyre-Chileka Airport (BLZ) – ÿ Malawi
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Unknown
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 55
Component Affected: AircraftAircraft
Category: Unlawful Interference
On January 15, 2023, two male passengers hijacked an aircraft bound for Blantyre, Malawi, demanding a meeting with the Anglo American chairman. They subsequently escaped with the help of the captain, resulting in the aircraft’s tires being deflated and a majority of passengers being released. They were subsequently jailed for possession of an undeclared firearm on board.On January 15, 2023, two male passengers hijacked an aircraft bound for Blantyre, Malawi, demanding a meeting with the Anglo American chairman. They subsequently escaped with the help of the captain, resulting in the aircraft’s tires being deflated and a majority of passengers being released. They were subsequently jailed for possession of an undeclared firearm on board.

Description

The aircraft was hijacked by two male passengers, carrying dynamite and a hand gun. They were having a dispute over diamonds with Anglo American, a mining company and planned to hijack the aircraft that was supposed to be used by an Anglo American employee to fly back to Johannesburg. Since this person was not on board, they hijacked the flight to Blantyre, Malawi where they demanded a meeting with the Anglo American chairman. During a stand-off during the night, Malawian troops had deflated the aircraft’s tires and the majority of the passengers escaped with the help of the captain. They hijackers the surrendered. They were jailed for two years on a charge of being in possession of an undeclared firearm on board an aircraft. After serving one year of their sentence, they were released.

Primary Cause

Hijacking of an aircraft by individuals intent on demanding a meeting and potentially disrupting flight operations.Hijacking of an aircraft by individuals intent on demanding a meeting and potentially disrupting flight operations.

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