Incident Overview
Date: Monday 31 December 1984
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Location: Havana-Jos Mart¡ International Airport (HAV) –
ÿ Cuba
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 198
Component Affected: DC-10 aircraftDC-10 aircraft
Category: Unlawful Interference
A prisoner hijacked a DC-10 en-route to New York, utilizing a series of false illnesses to gain access to the aircraft. He subsequently discharged a pistol, disarming the guards and forcing the aircraft to land in Havana, Cuba.A prisoner hijacked a DC-10 en-route to New York, utilizing a series of false illnesses to gain access to the aircraft. He subsequently discharged a pistol, disarming the guards and forcing the aircraft to land in Havana, Cuba.
Description
A prisoner under escort of three Virgin Island Correction Bureau armed law enforcement officers hijacked the DC-10 to Cuba. The hijacking began while the aircraft was en-route to New York from the Virgin Islands. The prisoner made numerous trips to the aft lavatory feigning sickness; after the last trip, he came out of the lavatory with a pistol, disarmed the three guards and forced the aircraft to land in Havana. Allegedly, the pistol was placed in the lavatory by person(s) unknown in St. Croix. Upon arrival in Cuba, the hijacker was taken into custody.
Primary Cause
Prisoner’s act of hijacking and armed robbery.Prisoner’s act of hijacking and armed robbery.Share on:
