A Historical Overview of Aircraft Hijackings
Before the 1970s, the concept of airport security screening was almost non-existent. It was not until the hijacking of Southern Airways Flight 49 in November 1972 that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated the strengthening of airport security measures. This event marked a significant turning point, as noted by Brendan Koerner, the author of ‘The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking’. Starting January 5, 1973, all airline passengers were required to undergo security screening. This regulatory change was a reaction to the more than 130 hijackings that occurred in the United States from 1968 to 1972, many of which involved demands to be taken to communist Cuba.
The introduction of passenger screening effectively concluded what Koerner refers to as the ‘golden age of hijacking’. According to Our World in Data, global hijackings decreased dramatically from 305 cases between 1968 and 1972 to approximately 20 to 40 cases annually thereafter. Despite these improvements, the subsequent decades of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s witnessed some of the most heinous hijackings in aviation history. It was only after the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001, in the United States that more stringent security protocols and advanced technological measures were implemented, significantly reducing the frequency of aircraft hijackings.
Significant Aircraft Hijackings Through History
The history of aircraft hijackings includes several notorious cases, each with unique circumstances and impacts on aviation security protocols.
- Ford Tri-Motor (February 21, 1931): The first documented aircraft hijacking occurred when American pilot Byron Rickards was commandeered by armed revolutionaries upon landing in Arequipa, Peru. This incident led to a 10-day standoff, ending only when the revolutionaries declared victory and released Rickards, albeit with the condition of transporting one of them. Rickards faced another hijacking in 1961, showcasing the recurring risks pilots faced during this era.
- Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 (November 24, 1971): This flight was hijacked by a man known as D.B. Cooper, who parachuted out of the plane with $200,000 in ransom money, never to be found. The case remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in FBI history, with the investigation officially suspended in 2016 unless conclusive new evidence emerges.
- TWA Flight 847 (June 14, 1985): This hijacking turned particularly violent, with the hijackers, led by Mohammed Ali Hamadei, brutally murdering a U.S. Navy diver and beating several passengers during multiple stops between Beirut and Algiers. The ordeal lasted 17 days and ended with the release of the remaining hostages. Hamadei was later captured, tried, and imprisoned, highlighting the international efforts to combat such terror acts.
- EgyptAir Flight 648 (November 23, 1985): Armed with grenades and pistols, hijackers took control of the plane, leading to a deadly raid by Egyptian forces in Malta. The tragic outcome resulted in numerous deaths, largely due to a poorly executed rescue attempt which sparked widespread criticism and a reevaluation of hostage rescue tactics.
- Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 (November 23, 1996): Hijackers demanding to be flown to Australia led to a fuel crisis mid-flight. Ignoring the captain’s warnings, the plane eventually crash-landed in the Indian Ocean near the Comoros Islands, resulting in over 120 fatalities. This incident underscored the dire consequences of inadequate crisis negotiation and the importance of pilot authority during hijackings.
Enhancing In-Flight Safety: Preventive Measures Against Hijackings
In response to historical hijackings, airlines and regulatory bodies worldwide have implemented numerous security enhancements. These include the introduction of reinforced cockpit doors, advanced passenger screening technologies, and the deployment of undercover air marshals on flights. Training for crew members now also extensively covers techniques in handling hijacking situations, ensuring both the safety of passengers and the swift resolution of any such incidents.