Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 17 September 1980
Aircraft Type: Boeing 727
Owner/operator: Delta Air Lines
Location: Havana –
ÿ Cuba
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 111
Component Affected: AircraftAircraft
Category: Unlawful Interference
On December 1, 2023, two passengers at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, South Carolina, engaged in a brazen act of air piracy. They repeatedly shouted ‘VIVA Cuba,’ poured gasoline onto the aircraft’s floor, and demanded to be flown to Cuba. The hijackers refused to allow the passengers to deploy and demanded to be flown to Havana, leading to a refueling stop at Columbia where they were apprehended. The aircraft was subsequently returned to Columbia, South Carolina, and the hijackers were sentenced to 40 years for air piracy.On December 1, 2023, two passengers at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, South Carolina, engaged in a brazen act of air piracy. They repeatedly shouted ‘VIVA Cuba,’ poured gasoline onto the aircraft’s floor, and demanded to be flown to Cuba. The hijackers refused to allow the passengers to deploy and demanded to be flown to Havana, leading to a refueling stop at Columbia where they were apprehended. The aircraft was subsequently returned to Columbia, South Carolina, and the hijackers were sentenced to 40 years for air piracy.
Description
As the aircraft neared Columbia Metropolitan Airport, South Carolina two passengers holding cigarette lighters and bottles of apparent gasoline stood up shouted “viva Cuba” several times, poured some of the liquid on the floor and through an interpreter demanded to be flown to Cuba or they would burn the aircraft. The hijackers agreed to a refuel stop at Columbia where they refused to allow the passengers to deplane or the doors to be opened. The aircraft was then flown to Havana, Cuba where the hijackers were taken into custody by Cuban authorities. The hijackers were released to the custody of U.S. Marshals in Havana and were returned to Columbia, SC. They were sentenced to 40 years for air piracy.
Primary Cause
Hijacking and demands for flight to Cuba.Hijacking and demands for flight to Cuba.Share on:
