Incident Overview
Date: Monday 12 April 1999
Aircraft Type: Fokker 50
Owner/operator: Avianca
Registration Number: PH-MXT
Location: Simiti –
ÿ Colombia
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Minor, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 46
Component Affected: Fokker 50 aircraftFokker 50 aircraft
Category: Unlawful Interference
On December 31, 1999, a group of at least five armed members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) hijacked a Fokker 50 aircraft during a domestic flight in Colombia. The hijacker entered the cockpit and issued specific flight instructions to the pilots. The plane was transported to a clandestine dirt airstrip near Simiti, where approximately 50-100 armed guerillas herded passengers into nearby boats on the Magdalena River. The guerillas then took the hostages into the remote jungle area, demanding ransom payments for the hostages. Fifteen individuals, including all flight crew, remained in captivity as of the end of the year.On December 31, 1999, a group of at least five armed members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) hijacked a Fokker 50 aircraft during a domestic flight in Colombia. The hijacker entered the cockpit and issued specific flight instructions to the pilots. The plane was transported to a clandestine dirt airstrip near Simiti, where approximately 50-100 armed guerillas herded passengers into nearby boats on the Magdalena River. The guerillas then took the hostages into the remote jungle area, demanding ransom payments for the hostages. Fifteen individuals, including all flight crew, remained in captivity as of the end of the year.
Description
At least five armed members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) hijacked the Fokker 50 during a domestic flight in Colombia. One hijacker entered the cockpit and issued specific flight instructions to the pilots. The plane was taken to a clandestine dirt airstrip near Simiti. An estimated 50 to 100 armed guerrillas herded the passengers into nearby boats on the Magdalena River. The guerrillas then took their hostages into the remote jungle area. Ransom payments were demanded for the hostages. As of December 31, 1999, fifteen people, including all of the flight crew, remained in captivity.
Primary Cause
The hijacking of a commercial aircraft by a paramilitary group, likely motivated by ransom demands.The hijacking of a commercial aircraft by a paramilitary group, likely motivated by ransom demands.Share on:
