Airplane hijacking is a terrifying act for everyone involved. While D.B. Cooper might be the first name that comes to mind, history books are full of other stories of hijackers whose actions dramatically changed aviation security and the public’s perception of it.
Each hijacker had their own reasons, techniques, and levels of craziness, marking unforgettable moments of fear. Here are ten airplane hijackers, not including D.B. Cooper, whose actions shook the world, filled with desperate demands and tragic outcomes, painting a dark picture of human ambition and despair.
Arthur Barkley: A Desperate Act of Retribution
Arthur Gates Barkley’s life took a turn for the worse after a car accident that affected his hearing. This led to him losing his job as a salesman in Phoenix. He also believed the IRS owed him $471.78, which made him resent the government even more. Feeling mistreated, he decided to hijack a plane to bring attention to his issues.
On June 4, 1970, Barkley boarded a Trans World Airlines flight with a briefcase, claiming it contained a bomb. He demanded the government pay his debt and give him back his job. His motives were personal, not political, but his actions still required a significant security response. After a tense situation, FBI agents subdued Barkley, ending the hijacking without anyone getting hurt. [1]
Richard LaPoint: The Ex-Paratrooper’s Paradox
Richard LaPoint, a 23-year-old ex-paratrooper, hijacked a jet airliner at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. He asked for $50,000, two parachutes, and a crash helmet. His weapon was a highway flare connected to a nine-volt battery, which he pretended was a bomb. This simple device scared the passengers and crew enough to make them follow his orders. After getting what he wanted, he let 56 passengers and two flight attendants go.
The hijacking happened on October 31, 1971. LaPoint’s military background and careful planning suggested he knew what he was doing, but he was eventually caught. After the plane landed in Denver for fuel, FBI agents stormed the plane and arrested LaPoint without anyone getting injured.
Despite his preparations, LaPoint never got to use his parachute. He was arrested and given a long prison sentence, showing how desperation and skill can lead to unexpected outcomes. [2]
Frederick Hahneman: The Honduran Hideout
Frederick Hahneman hijacked Eastern Airlines Flight 175 on May 7, 1972. He boarded the plane in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with a gun and a plan to get a large ransom. He demanded $303,000 and told the pilot to fly to Washington, D.C., where the money would be delivered. After getting the money, he ordered the plane to Honduras, where he planned to escape.
When they reached Honduran airspace, Hahneman parachuted out of the plane and disappeared into the jungle. He avoided capture for over 20 days, living in the wilderness with the ransom money. Eventually, the tough conditions and fear got to him, and he surrendered to the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa.
Surprisingly, the money was never found. Hahneman’s hijacking is one of the most unusual in aviation history, showing how far people will go to escape, only to be caught by their own choices. [3]
Richard McCoy: The Daring Copycat
Richard McCoy hijacked United Airlines Flight 855 on April 7, 1972, in a way that was very similar to D.B. Cooper’s case. McCoy, a former Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, boarded the flight with a hand grenade and a handgun. He demanded $500,000 and four parachutes.
After the ransom was paid in San Francisco, McCoy released the passengers and told the pilot to take off again. He planned to parachute over Provo, Utah. However, McCoy was caught by the FBI, who tracked him down using his handwriting on the ransom note. He was arrested two days after the hijacking and sentenced to 45 years in prison. [4]
Martin McNally: The Machine Gun Hijacker
Martin McNally hijacked an American Airlines flight on June 23, 1972, using a machine gun to control the aircraft. He demanded $502,000 and a parachute, planning to jump from the plane after getting the money.
The plane returned to St. Louis for the ransom, with McNally keeping the passengers and crew scared. After parachuting out, he was quickly caught by authorities. McNally received two life sentences for his actions, a severe punishment for a crime that could have been much worse. [5]
James Bennett Jr.: The Hijacker without a Weapon
James Bennett Jr. hijacked a plane on July 21, 1972, by simply claiming he had a bomb onboard. He managed to take control of the flight and demanded $500,000 and a flight to the Bahamas.
Even without a real weapon, Bennett’s calm and convincing lies were enough to control the situation. Authorities stormed the plane after it landed in Miami and subdued Bennett without anyone getting hurt. His wife later said that Bennett had problems with alcoholism and mental health, which might explain his desperate actions. [6]
Glen Kurt Tripp: A Repeat Offender’s Tragic End
Glen Kurt Tripp was known for two attempted airplane hijackings in the early 1980s. On July 11, 1980, he hijacked Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 608, asking for $100,000 and two parachutes, similar to D.B. Cooper’s case. After a 10-hour standoff, FBI agents overpowered him. It was later found that he had taken Valium before the hijacking.
On January 20, 1983, Tripp tried another hijacking, demanding to be flown to Afghanistan. This time, the situation quickly turned violent, and FBI agents intervened. Tripp was fatally shot by the FBI, ending the hijacking. [7]
Paul Joseph Cini: A Foiled Attempt with Deadly Intent
Paul Joseph Cini hijacked an Air Canada flight on November 12, 1971, armed with a shotgun. He held the weapon to a stewardess’s head and demanded the flight be diverted to Ireland, along with a $50,000 ransom.
The flight crew managed to overpower Cini, saving everyone on board. Cini was arrested and charged with extortion and illegal possession of weapons, receiving four life terms in prison. [8]
Melvin Martin Fisher: The Short-Lived Hijack
Melvin Martin Fisher tried to hijack a plane on September 5, 1972, demanding $550,000 and a parachute. He gave erratic orders to the pilot, trying to control the situation.
However, Fisher’s courage failed him, and he surrendered. He even cried as he explained his actions. This case, known as the “Shorter Hijacking,” shows how the stress of such crimes can lead to unexpected outcomes. [9]
Robb Heady: A Veteran’s Tragic Turn
Robb Heady, a Vietnam War veteran and parachutist, hijacked a plane on July 31, 1972. He boarded the plane wearing a pillowcase with eye slits, carrying a .357 revolver and a parachute.
He demanded $200,000. Because it was nighttime, the FBI had to get the cash from Reno casinos. Heady waited to transfer to another plane because his had a disabled engine. He became impatient and fired a shot near a flight attendant.
He parachuted over Washoe Lake, about 20 miles south of Reno, and was caught five hours later. He had left $40,000 on the plane and lost the rest when he pulled the ripcord. Heady was sentenced to 30 years in prison. [10]
From desperate individuals to calculated criminals, these hijackers show the range of motives and outcomes in these high-stakes situations. Their stories continue to shape how we think about aviation security today.
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