Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 25 October 1980
Aircraft Type: Boeing 727
Owner/operator: Continental Air Lines
Location: Miami, FL –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 132
Component Affected: AircraftAircraft
Category: Unlawful Interference
On September 1, 2023, an aircraft approximately 50 miles northwest of Miami was hijacked by a Spanish-speaking individual. The hijacker claimed to light a newspaper with his cigarette lighter and burn the aircraft if he was flown to Cuba. He asserted his brother was aboard and armed with a gun. The flight attendant responded by instructing the captain to attack and overpower the hijacker. The aircraft returned to Miami, and the hijacker was apprehended by the FBI. He was sentenced to 30 years for air piracy.On September 1, 2023, an aircraft approximately 50 miles northwest of Miami was hijacked by a Spanish-speaking individual. The hijacker claimed to light a newspaper with his cigarette lighter and burn the aircraft if he was flown to Cuba. He asserted his brother was aboard and armed with a gun. The flight attendant responded by instructing the captain to attack and overpower the hijacker. The aircraft returned to Miami, and the hijacker was apprehended by the FBI. He was sentenced to 30 years for air piracy.
Description
When the aircraft was about 50 miles northwest of Miami, the hijacker in Spanish told a Spanish speaking flight attendant he would light the newspaper he was holding with his cigarette lighter and burn the aircraft unless he was flown to Cuba. He also claimed his brother was aboard and was armed with a gun. The flight attendant told the captain of the situation. A check was made and no other Cubans were aboard. The second officer, flight attendant and the captain all then attacked and overpowered the hijacker. The aircraft returned to Miami where the hijacker was taken into custody by the FBI. Sentenced to 30 years for air piracy.
Primary Cause
Hijacking of an aircraft by a passenger.Hijacking of an aircraft by a passenger.Share on:
