skyjackings
Aircraft seizures aloft
Skyjackings are hijackings of aircraft—the forcible seizure of planes, typically while in flight.
The term emerged in the 1960s and 1970s when such incidents became disturbingly common, with armed individuals commandeering flights to Cuba or demanding ransoms.
The wave of skyjackings led to mandatory airport security screening.
Unidentified 1971 hijacker
- TWAFormer American airline
- EntebbeUgandan city near Kampala
- September 112001 terrorist attacks date
- 1970sFourth decade, twentieth century
Mogadishu · Lockerbie · Pan Am · Air France · metal detectors · aviation history
One held by force
- passengersTransported travelers
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
hostage-taker · release · captivity · human shield · ultimatum · standoff · bargaining · intermediary
Intimidation through targeted violence
- felonySerious criminal offense
- extortionObtaining through threats
- piracySeaborne theft or bootlegging
- unlawful seizureTaking property without authorization
federal crime · conspiracy · fugitive · accomplice · criminal charges · prosecution · indictment · conviction
Large commercial passenger plane
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
- diversionRedirection of attention
- forced landingUnscheduled aircraft touchdown
airspace · flight path · air marshal · cabin crew · passenger jet · fuselage · tarmac · control tower
Radio emergency signal
- distress callUrgent plea for aid
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- emergency landingUnscheduled descent due to crisis
panic · SWAT · first responders · rescue · alert · incident · intervention · storming
D.B. Cooper
Unidentified 1971 hijacker
- TWAFormer American airline
- EntebbeUgandan city near Kampala
- September 112001 terrorist attacks date
1970s · Mogadishu · Lockerbie · Pan Am · Air France · metal detectors · aviation history
captive
One held by force
- passengersTransported travelers
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
negotiation · hostage-taker · release · captivity · human shield · ultimatum · standoff · bargaining · intermediary · surrender
terrorism
Intimidation through targeted violence
unlawful seizure · federal crime · conspiracy · fugitive · accomplice · criminal charges · prosecution · indictment · conviction · sentencing
airliner
Large commercial passenger plane
forced landing · airspace · flight path · air marshal · cabin crew · passenger jet · fuselage · tarmac · control tower · radar
mayday
Radio emergency signal
- distress callUrgent plea for aid
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- evacuationRemoval from danger
emergency landing · panic · SWAT · first responders · rescue · alert · incident · intervention · storming · emergency services
skyjackingscarjackings
Violent vehicle robberies
train robberies · kidnappings · bank robberies · piracy · maritime piracy
skyjackingsscheduled flights
Airline trips with fixed times
commercial aviation · flight operations · air traffic control