Narrative:While the TWA Lockheed TriStar was still on the ground at Los Angeles Airport, CA, a man displaying a pocket knife forced his way aboard. He tried and failed to gain access to the cockpit. He talked to the flight crew via the aircraft's internal telephone system, insisting that they take off. He did not indicate a destination. A deputy sheriff traveling as a passenger persuaded the hijacker to open an emergency door to reduce the heat in the aircraft. As the hijacker looked out the door, the deputy sheriff pushed him and caused him to fall through the door to the ground. He was taken into custody by law enforcement officials and taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the fall. The hijacker was later sentenced to 12 years for air piracy.
Classification:
Hijack
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Los Angeles International Airport, CA to Saint Louis-Lambert International Airport, MO as the crow flies is 2541 km (1588 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.