Narrative:The hijacker claimed to have explosives and demanded (U.S.) $10 million and safe passage to Switzerland when the plane landed in Moscow. He also demanded to meet with Swiss and Russian officials. Shortly after the plane landed at Moscows Shermetyevo Airport, the hijacker permitted 48 passengers to deplane to an awaiting bus. The hijacker was seized by special operations personnel about an hour later when he came out to speak with authorities. The remaining hostages were then freed unharmed. The hijacker acted alone although he claimed to have two accomplices; he also carried a fake explosive device.
Classification:
Hijack
Sources:
» Criminal Acts Against Civil Aviation 1997 / FAA, Office of Civil Aviation Security
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 Magadan Airport to Moskva-Sheremetyevo Airport as the crow flies is 5815 km (3634 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.