ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 328105
| Date: | Saturday 2 May 1981 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Boeing 737-248C |
| Owner/operator: | Aer Lingus |
| Registration: | EI-ASD |
| MSN: | 20219/208 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1969 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 113 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Category: | UI |
| Location: | Le Touquet Airport (LTQ) -
 France
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Dublin Airport (DUB/EIDW) |
| London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) |
While descending towards London-Heathrow, a former Trappist monk went into the toilet and doused himself in petrol. The 55-year-old Australian named Laurence James Downey hijacked the aircraft, which diverted to Le Touquet in France.
The hijacker was obsessed with the so-called Third Secret of Fátima. In 1917 Our Lady of Fátima is said to have appeared before three Portuguese children and shared with them three secrets. At the time of the hijacking, the third secret was known only to the Pope and other senior figures in the Catholic Church. The hijacker called on the Vatican to release this secret to the public.
After an eight-hour standoff, during which time 11 were released, French special forces stormed the plane and apprehended Downey. No shots were fired and nobody was injured. In February 1983, the hijacker was sentenced to five years imprisonment for air piracy.
Sources:
Wikipedia: Aer Lingus flight 164
81 plane hijacker reveals Fatima obsession
Tony Doyle`(E-mail 13 Feb 2016)
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation