Incident Overview
Date: Monday 10 March 1980
Aircraft Type: Boeing 707
Owner/operator: Middle East Airlines – MEA
Location: Beirut International Airport (BEY) –
ÿ Lebanon
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: AircraftAircraft
Category: Unlawful Interference
On August 19, 1978, a hijacker seized control of an aircraft, commandeered it, and landed at Beirut. The hijacker attempted to revive interest in the disappearance of Lebanese philosopher Musa al-Sadr, who had been traveling to Libya. He was subsequently apprehended by Lebanese authorities.On August 19, 1978, a hijacker seized control of an aircraft, commandeered it, and landed at Beirut. The hijacker attempted to revive interest in the disappearance of Lebanese philosopher Musa al-Sadr, who had been traveling to Libya. He was subsequently apprehended by Lebanese authorities.
Description
Armed with what was later determined to be a toy pistol the hijacker commandeered the aircraft. Twenty minutes later the plane landed at Beirut. The hijacker was allowed to hold a press conference wherein he attempted to revive interest in the fate of Musa al-Sadr, a Lebanese-Iranian philosopher and Shi’a religious leader, who disappeared while on a trip to Libya in August, 1978. He was then taken into custody by Lebanese authorities.
Primary Cause
Hijacking of an aircraft.Hijacking of an aircraft.Share on:
