The BBC is about to screen a racy new drama about Pan Am pilots and stewardesses, starring Christina Ricci, but this is the little-known story of the 16 cabin crew who were killed in … "My mother died while shielding and protecting me. N656PA, plane involved in hijacking, seen in January 1985 at now closed, Aviation accidents and incidents in Pakistan, The Inertial Reel Escape Device consists of five metal cables attached to the roof of the cockpit. Just 61 people survived, all from the Pan Am jumbo jet. I ran bare feet for almost two kilometres on the tarmac. There was complete chaos at the Sahar airport when we returned. Dick Melhart was able to unlatch the door at R3 which was the exit over the wing, passengers jumped out from this exit. Safarini ordered Kumar to come to the front of the aircraft, to kneel at the front doorway of the aircraft, and to face the front of the aircraft with his hands behind his head. One of the hijackers removed a blanket and covered her with it because she was wearing a short skirt. At approximately 10:00, Safarini went through the plane and arrived at the seat of Rajesh Kumar, a 29-year-old Indian American resident of California who had recently been naturalized as an American citizen. Suresh GopalkrishnanProfession: Businessman, ChennaiAge: 55I was a carefree and free-spirited 23 year old boy, working with a German company, on my way to Paris. The SSG commando unit was headed by Brigadier Tariq Mehmood and the Shaheen Company of the SSG's 1st Commando Battalion carried out the operation. I t was September 5, 1986. A certain Mr. Mohammadbhai, a businessman from Karachi, known to a relative of Utpala came to us asking if he could help. The aircraft was returned by Pan Am to Evergreen in April 1991. As soon as his prayer was over, they started firing indiscriminately. Up to five crew can reach the roof through an, The Pan Am executives supported the decision of the flight crew abandoning the plane. She was allowed to lie down. [2] A grand jury later concluded that the militants were planning to use the hijacked airliner to pick up Palestinian prisoners in both Cyprus and Israel. It was an American aircraft and Americans were their target. Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of Pan American World Airways accidents and incidents, "Jordanian Hijacker Sentenced in D.C. for 1986 Hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 as Victims from Around the World Recount Horrors", "Pan Am Flight-73 alleged hijacker 'killed' in drone attack in Pakistan", "United States of America v. Wadoud Muhammad et al Indictment", "24 yrs after Pan Am hijack, Neerja Bhanot killer falls to drone", Pan Am hijack in Karachi: Pakistan security forces handling of situation raises questions, A video demonstrating the Cockpit Escape Reels on a Boeing 747-300, "Inside a hijack: The unheard stories of the Pan Am 73 crew", "Jordanian hijacker sentenced to 160 years in prison for deadly 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 as victims from around the world recount horrors", United States of America vs. Zaid Hassan Abd Latif Safarini: Rule 11 Proffer of Facts, "'I saw Neerja being shot in the head' | Bengaluru News", "On This Day - 5 September – 1986: Karachi hijack ends in bloodshed", "Act of Terror: Seeking Information Leading to Those Responsible: Pan Am Flight 73 Hijacking", "Suspect in 1986 hijacking brought to U.S. for trial", "Neerja Bhanot killing: FBI releases age-progressed images of 4 wanted hijack suspects", "FBI releases age-processed pictures of four 1986 Pan Am hijacking suspects", "Libya takes blame for Lockerbie bombing", "Libya Will Pay $170 Million In Bombing of French Airliner", "Victims of September 1986 Hijacking of Pan Am 73 File US$10 Billion... -- WASHINGTON, April 5 /PR Newswire UK/ --", "1986 Pan Am survivors pin hopes on Modi", U.S. airstrike reportedly kills terrorist, "FBI most wanted terrorist : JAMAL SAEED ABDUL RAHIM", "Rewards for Justice - Wanted for Terrorism - Jamal Saeed Abdul Rahim", "New Images Released in 1986 Hijacking Case", "Evergreen International Airlines N483EV (Boeing 747 - MSN 20351) (Ex N656PA ) | Airfleets aviation", 25 years later, experiencing Pan Am hijacking still haunts Utahn, New Security Measures for Pan Am Airlines, Hijacking of Pan AM Flight 73: Significant Events, U.S. Department of Justice Attorney's Office For the District of Columbia, UNITED STATES ARRESTS KNOWN HIGHJACKER FROM PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS FLIGHT 73, U.S. Department of Justice May 13, 2004, press release, Pan Am Flight 73 September 1986 Karachi ABC News Nightline, Inside a hijack: The unheard stories of the Pan Am 73 crew, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 17, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 631, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 404, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 544 hijacking, Pakistan Navy Breguet Atlantique shoot-down, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 688, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 661, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pan_Am_Flight_73&oldid=1000525204, Accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 747, Military government of Pakistan (1977–1988), Operations involving Pakistani special forces, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2017, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from December 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2018, Articles that may contain original research from December 2010, All articles that may contain original research, Articles with failed verification from December 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Captain William Allen "Bill" Kianka (born June 1, 1934), Age 52, He served in the, First Officer Conway Tehan Dodge, Sr. (born May 30, 1933), Age 53, He served in the. The film Neerja was released in 2016 depicting the hijacking and the actions of all the flight attendants on the aircraft. When the airhostess’ were asked to collect our passports, she was smart enough to not collect the US passports. We were asked to hold our hands behind and bow down. Neerja Bhanot was the Senior Flight Purser and the youngest recipient of the highest Indian bravery award, Ashoka Chakra. Pan Am Flight 73 was a Pan American World Airways flight from Bombay, India, to New York, United States with scheduled stops in Karachi, Pakistan and Frankfurt, West Germany. Pakistani personnel on the ramp reported that Kumar was still breathing when he was placed in an ambulance, but he was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital in Karachi. They gave us strength. The intent was to cause an explosion massive enough to kill all passengers and crew on board, as well as themselves. I started running towards the terminus. I was part of the Avishakar Academy Of Performing Arts. A 16-hour standoff at Jinnah International Airport in Karāchi ended with 22 hostages dead and some 150 injured. I saw Neerja closely when she was collecting passports and another time when they were serving us refreshments.When the terrorists opened fire, my mother fell down injured,while trying to protect and shield me from the bullets. Had the terrorists got all the US passports initially, the picture could have been different and even more drastic.One baby was crying continuously. She persuaded them to let the children drink water too. We were informed that all those who hadn’t made it to the tarmac had died inside the aircraft. This was given to the 40-odd American passengers of the ill-fated Pan Am Flight 73, but not shared with the Indians, including the kin of 13 who were killed in the hijacking." I climbed back into the aircraft and then ran to the rear exit. On March 27, 1977, two Boeing 747 passenger jets, operating KLM Flight 4805 and Pan Am Flight 1736, collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport) on the Spanish island of Tenerife. Pan Am sold the aircraft to Evergreen International in 1988 and then leased it back. Passengers at the front were ordered toward the back, while passengers at the back were ordered forward. [23], British media that was critical of normalisation of relations between Gaddafi and the West reported in March 2004 (days after Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Tripoli) that Libya was behind the hijacking. Washington, D.C. – April 5, 2006: One hundred seventy-six passengers, estates, and family members who were victims of the September 5, 1986 terrorist hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan filed suit today against Libya and the individuals convicted of launching the … We went back inside trying to exit from another door during which we lost each other. He showed so much grace in trouble, barring borders and perceptions. They complied with this request. The great eye opener though was the compassion shown by Pakistanis. [17] At the plea proceeding, Safarini admitted that he and his fellow hijackers committed the offences as members of the Abu Nidal Organization, also called the ANO, a designated terrorist organization. The case is still under investigation by the Washington Field Office of the Bureau. Libya has been accused of sponsoring the hijacking, as well as carrying out the bombings of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 and UTA Flight 772 in 1989. A survivor of 1986 Pan Am hijack, Murthy shuddered as the dreadful moment flashed before his eyes. Martin Shugrue, the Chief Operating Officer, stated, "In a situation like this, one of our immediate prime objectives (is to) immobilize the aircraft, turn the aircraft into a building.". From Panam. [a][b] She could have easily been the first one to escape but she chose to push everyone else out. The incident began as passengers boarded the Frankfurt-bound aircraft in Karachi. That incident changed my outlook towards life. Pan Am 73 Survivors Talk About Neerja Bhanot's Brave Act. We found a few people but not all. 30 years after Neerja Bhanot died saving passengers of Pan Am Flight 73… Remembering Neerja Bhanot on hijacked Pan Am Flight 73. My co-passenger, a German national, woke me up informing that our plane was hijacked. The four hijackers were dressed as Karachi airport securityguards and were armed with assault rifles, pistols, grenades, and plastic explosive belts. The main leader, who was directing the other three men, was in charge of our compartment. 2 COPING AFTER TERRORISM The information in this handbook is intended to help you understand your reactions to an act of terrorism or mass violence. Shama, another friend, had two bullet injuries in her head.”. Another person who was on the wings jumped down and broke his legs. We had to wait on the tarmac for 45 minutes for a transport vehicle to carry my mother’s coffin. I told the terrorist I wanted some water. [26] His death was never confirmed and he remains on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list and the State Department's Rewards for Justice list. The aircraft, with 360 passengers on board, had just arrived from Bombay. All the hijackers were arrested and sentenced to death in Pakistan. One of the terrorists picked up the baby and started strutting up and down with a machine gun in his hand and a rifle hanging from his shoulder. But for how long could one possibly bow down? It is not intended to be a substitute for the role of professionals with The first busload of fresh passengers from Karachi had barely reached the aircraft standing on the tarmac when the hijacking began to unfold. Pan Am flight 73 hijacking, takeover of a Pan American World Airways jet on September 5, 1986, by hijackers linked to the Abū Niḍāl Organization. There were 14 flight … The stench of her blood haunts me even today. Zayd Hassan Abd al-Latif Safarini was extradited to the U.S. by the Government of Pakistan. It was carrying 394 passengers and 9 infants, an American flight crew and 13 Indian flight attendants. I turned more patriotic, pious and mind you not religious… rather spiritual after this incident. It was just before 06:00 and Pan Am Flight 73, on a stopover in Karachi from Mumbai, was scheduled to continue on to Frankfurt, en route to New York. We had no choice but to follow the terrorists’ instructions. Trahan, dubbed the “Miracle Baby of Pan Am Flight 759,” was the sole survivor of the crash, sustaining no serious injuries. In panic mode, they opened gunfire. [17][18][19] He was taken to the United States where on May 13, 2005 he was sentenced to a 160-year prison term. On July 6, 1988, the five Palestinian men were convicted in Pakistan for their roles in the hijacking and murders and sentenced to death: Zayd Hassan Abd al-Latif Safarini, Wadoud Muhammad Hafiz al-Turki, Jamal Saeed Abdul Rahim, Muhammad Abdullah Khalil Hussain ar-Rahayyal, and Muhammad Ahmed al-Munawar. [27][28], In hopes of generating new leads for the alleged hijackers the FBI released new age-progressed images on January 11, 2018. How I connect my mother to Neerja is that they both died saving children and at the same time. The lawsuit alleged Libya provided the Abu Nidal Organization with material support and also ordered the attack as part of a Libyan-sponsored terrorist campaign against American, European and Israeli interests. When the doors were thrown open, I realised I had jumped onto the wing. When our flight landed in Karachi, the hijackers entered the aircraft wearing security guard uniforms. Ultimately it was the bullets that created the most damage since each bullet would bounce off aircraft cabin surfaces and create crippling shrapnel. The other four prisoners were deported by Pakistani authorities to Palestine in 2008. It came as a surprise to us at Bombay airport when we were told the flight would first land at the Karachi International Airport and then proceed to Frankfurt. She informed the pilots about the hijack and that’s how the pilots could escape.