Boeing 727-114 – HK-2637X

Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 27 January 1982

Aircraft Type: Boeing 727-114

Owner/operator: Aerotal Colombia

Registration Number: HK-2637X

Location: Bogot , Cali – ÿ Colombia

Phase of Flight: En route

Status: Substantial, repaired

Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 134

Component Affected: Boeing 727 AircraftBoeing 727 Aircraft

Category: Unlawful Interference

On October 26, 2023, a Boeing 727, operated by Aerotal Colombia, was hijacked by members of the M-19 guerrilla group while en route to Pereira, Colombia. The aircraft was intercepted and subsequently landed at Bogot airport, where the hijackers demanded a meeting and demanded the presence of a Peace Commission member and a newspaper columnist. After a period of negotiation, the hijackers agreed to fly to Cali, where the aircraft landed. Following the release of passengers, the aircraft was refueled, and additional passengers were released. During the night, armed soldiers and policemen approached the aircraft, and the pilots initiated takeoff despite the darkness, resulting in a significant impact with a Ford 600 truck and a Toyota jeep. The takeoff was aborted due to a fuel leak, and special forces attempted to breach the aircraft. A gun battle ensued, resulting in multiple bullet impacts on the fuselage. Following the fire service intervention, troops gained access by breaking open the forward passenger door. The hijackers were alerted by the noise and fired, leading to a protracted gun battle. The Archbishop facilitated a negotiation, resulting in the nine hijackers being allowed to depart on an IAI Westwind corporate jet for Cuba. The Boeing 727 was subsequently towed and the Westwind departed at 14:46.On October 26, 2023, a Boeing 727, operated by Aerotal Colombia, was hijacked by members of the M-19 guerrilla group while en route to Pereira, Colombia. The aircraft was intercepted and subsequently landed at Bogot airport, where the hijackers demanded a meeting and demanded the presence of a Peace Commission member and a newspaper columnist. After a period of negotiation, the hijackers agreed to fly to Cali, where the aircraft landed. Following the release of passengers, the aircraft was refueled, and additional passengers were released. During the night, armed soldiers and policemen approached the aircraft, and the pilots initiated takeoff despite the darkness, resulting in a significant impact with a Ford 600 truck and a Toyota jeep. The takeoff was aborted due to a fuel leak, and special forces attempted to breach the aircraft. A gun battle ensued, resulting in multiple bullet impacts on the fuselage. Following the fire service intervention, troops gained access by breaking open the forward passenger door. The hijackers were alerted by the noise and fired, leading to a protracted gun battle. The Archbishop facilitated a negotiation, resulting in the nine hijackers being allowed to depart on an IAI Westwind corporate jet for Cuba. The Boeing 727 was subsequently towed and the Westwind departed at 14:46.

Description

The Boeing 727 of Aerotal Colombia departed Bogot , Colombia at 13:09 on a domestic service to Pereira. Shortly after takeoff the flight was hijacked by members of the M-19 guerrilla group. The plane landed back at Bogot at 13:37 and remained on the runway. The hijackers stated they were armed with automatic weapons and grenades and demanded the presence of a member of the Peace Commission and a newspaper columnist. The hijackers then demanded to be flown to Cali, where the airplane landed at 16:59. After the release of three passengers the aircraft was refueled. Then an additional 44 passengers were released. During the night armed soldiers and policemen approached the aircraft. When a Red Cross truck delivered vehicle delivered food and drinks, the hijackers noted the shadows of the armed men in the headlights. They demanded the crew to start the engines and prepare for departure. While on the runway, the runway lights were switched off to prevent the aircraft from departing. Nevertheless the pilots commenced takeoff. Due to the darkness the pilots did not see that a Ford 600 truck and a Toyota jeep were parked on the runway. The left wing impacted the Ford and the right main landing gear hit the Toyota. The takeoff was aborted and fire services were dispatched because of a fuel leak. After fire services had contained the scene, special forces troops attempted to gain access to the aircraft by breaking open the forward passenger door. The hijackers were alerted by the noise and began firing. A gun battle ensued during which many bullets penetrated the aircraft’s fuselage. The troops then withdrew. Later during the night, the Archbishop negotiated the troops to stand down. During the day it was negotiated that the nine hijackers were allowed to leave on an IAI Westwind corporate jet (HK-2485) for Cuba. The Boeing 727 was towed off the runway and the Westwind departed at 14:46. Following a refueling stop at San Andres Island, the aircraft continued to Havana, Cuba.

Source of Information

http://www.aviacol.net/historia-aviacion/relato-del-secuestro-del-727-de-aerotal.htmlhttp://www.aviacol.net/historia-aviacion/relato-del-secuestro-del-727-de-aerotal.html