Posted on 05/05/2006 10:19:37 PM PDT by Ptarmigan
David Burke, an employee for USAir, now US Airways had his job terminated after he allegedly stole $69 from the airline fund. He pleaded for leniency, which did no good for him. Raymond Thompson was his supervisor and fired him afterwards on December 7, 1987. Thompson tells Burke to have a nice day and Burke cryptically says, "I intend on having a very good day." Later that day, he buys a one-way ticket for Pacific Southwest Airline Flight 1771 from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. The airplane was a BAe-146 and at the time carried 38 passengers and 5 crew members. He managed to pass security because of his USAir credentials and he carried a Magnum 44 pistol. The airplane takes off and as it is on the air, he writes on an airsickness bag, "Hi Ray. I think it's sort of ironical that we ended up like this. I asked for some leniency for my family. Remember? Well, I got none and you'll get none." He goes into the lavatory and comes out with his pistol and shoots and kill Thompson. Then he barges into the cockpit. A flight attendant says, "We have a problem." Then Captain replies, "What kind of problem?" Burke says, "I'm the problem" and starts to shoot and kill both pilots. Afterwards, Burke turns the gun on himself and dies. The airplanes starts to bank downward because of the dead pilot slumping on the flight yoke. It hits the ground at Mach 1.3 and all 43 people died on board. Among the killed are James R. Sylla, president of Cheveron and three Cheveron executives. Also, killed is Dr. Neil Webb, president of Dominican University of California. The plane crashes into a farmer's field near the town of Cayucos, California. David Burke is the worst Black mass murderer in America, even to this day. The attack was one of the worst mass murder after the Bath School Bombing in 1927 and later in 1990 with the Happyland Club Fire, 1995 with Oklahoma City Bombing, and 2001 with the September 11th terrorist attacks. Also, it could be said to be the worst mass murder by a disgruntled worker. As a result of this tragedy, the FAA made everyone, including the captain is subjected to the same security measures as passengers.
Air Disaster-PSA Flight 1771
PSA Flight 1771
NTSB Report-PSA Flight 1771
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