Airline hijacks, synonymous with high-stakes drama and occasional absurdity, imprint fascinating tales in aviation history. From mimicking D.B. Cooper to revealing defense gaps, these incidents range from deadly serious to downright bizarre. Discover five astonishing facts about airline hijacks that will captivate and astonish.
1. The D.B. Cooper Effect
Post the notorious D.B. Cooper hijacking, five copycat hijackers employed similar tactics, all miraculously surviving their parachute jumps. This challenged the initial assumption that Cooper met his demise during his audacious escape.
2. Swiss Air Force’s “Off Hours” Response
In 2014, a hijacking in Switzerland occurred outside the Swiss Air Force’s operational hours. Italy and France had to dispatch jets, revealing an unexpected limitation in Switzerland’s defense protocols.
3. Clever Communication Saves the Day
In a 2007 Mauritanian flight incident, the pilot’s quick thinking in announcing a “bumpy landing” in French overcame the hijacker’s language barrier, enabling passengers to overpower the unsuspecting culprit.
4. Routine Detours to Cuba
In the 1960s and 70s, hijackings from the USA to Cuba were so frequent that pilots were provided with specific detour flight plans. The situation even led to contemplating a fake “Havana airport” in South Florida to deceive hijackers.
5. Norway’s Thirsty Hijacker
In 1985, Norway faced its inaugural plane hijacking when an alcoholic perpetrator, having depleted the plane’s beer stock, demanded more beer as ransom for the passengers.
These incidents contribute distinct chapters to the history of airline hijackings, blending the seriousness of aviation security with elements of human unpredictability and ingenuity.