Incident Overview
Date: Monday 28 January 1980
Aircraft Type: Boeing 720
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 landing in Beirut, a pilot negotiated with hijackers to allow a press conference after takeoff. He allowed women and children to deploy, including his wife and four infants. He then read a speech addressing a philosopher named Musa al-Sadr, who had vanished in Libya. Subsequently, he was apprehended by Lebanese authorities.On landing in Beirut, a pilot negotiated with hijackers to allow a press conference after takeoff. He allowed women and children to deploy, including his wife and four infants. He then read a speech addressing a philosopher named Musa al-Sadr, who had vanished in Libya. Subsequently, he was apprehended by Lebanese authorities.
Description
Brandishing a knife the hijacker demanded to be allowed to hold a press conference after landing In Beirut. During about 2 hours of negotiations he allowed the women and children to deplane. Including his wife and 4 infants. He was allowed to read a speech to reporters calling attention to Musa al-Sadr, a Lebanese-Iranian philosopher and Shi’a religious leader, who disappeared while on a trip to Libya in August, 1978. He then was taken Into custody by Lebanese authorities.
Primary Cause
Hijacking and negotiation with a group of hijackers.Hijacking and negotiation with a group of hijackers.Share on:
