American Airlines Flight 62: A Terrorist Probe?

The Aviation Nation ^ | March 5, 2007 | By Annie Jacobsen

[aculeus]

The following is an email I received detailing a “serious probe” on board American Airlines flight 62 traveling from Paris to Miami. The information comes to me second-hand — from a trusted source in the field. American Airlines spokesman John Hotard confirmed the incident on flight 62 with me, stating “there was a disturbance on board, it was handled by crew.” I asked Mr. Hotard the status of the men who were detained by FBI. Hotard told me “for security reasons, I can’t comment further.”

Here it is, unedited:

“This is not meant to scare, but it probably will. Consider yourself informed and warned that the threat is real. This crew reported that they were not prepared that something of this nature could be happening to them.

Flt 62, Paris to MIA [Miami], a few weeks ago. 2 maybe 4 mid-eastern types causing minor disturbance from the get-go. Nothing that the FAs [flight attendants] couldn’t deal with, but, in hindsight, they seemed to be pushing the envelope. Cross-cabin activity, hanging out in the forward galley, complaining about everything, etc. Mid-Atlantic, the FO [First Officer, or Co-Pilot] called to return to the cockpit after his crew-rest break. One of the perps [perpetrators] was in the forward galley, was instructed by a FA to go aft, but didn’t. As the cockpit door opened, another perp suddenly appeared from around the galley, dropped his shoulder into FO while the first one got in the way of the FO’s attempt to block the other…here I’m not certain…so….wait for the movie.

FO (one of our first FFDO’s [Federal Flight Deck Officers*]) was about to pull his flashlight to use as a weapon in a counter attack, but thought better of it not knowing how many more perps he might have to fight, called “lockdown” to the FB [secondary “B” First Officer], inside the cockpit, who slammed the door. As soon as the perps heard the word lockdown, they retreated to their seats.

I’m not doing justice to the story, but, if not an attempt on the cockpit, this was a serious probe.

Crew considered divert, but since the threat diminished and seemed to be contained, they pressed on towards MIA. Flight was met in MIA by FBI, FAMS [Federal Air Marshal Service] (none aboard, by the way), AA [American Airlines] Security suits, etc. During the de-brief, which lasted several hours, the FAMs told the pilots that they would have “dropped” both of the perps with the first shove near the cockpit door. Perps claimed to not understand English, were detained for 4 days and deported, back to Paris, when they are free to attend Sunday school, tell their buddies of their Adventure and plan their next move.

Enjoying the story so far? It’s good we can’t carry guns on Int’l [International] trips, eh?

Upsetting is that we all have to learn of this, by happenstance. Why didn’t you and your last crew know of this? We took a delay yesterday while this FB detailed the entire event to my crew. Believe me, there were no disbelievers that the terrorist threat is real in my crew by the time we boarded.

I’m more than upset that this is still a secret! The FB is a man I’ve flown with often, trust completely and attended FFDO (Federal Flight Deck Officer) training with a year ago January. I hope I’ve presented his story accurately, but am certain that the basic details are very close.

***********************

On a separate note, American Airlines flight 63, also traveling from Paris to Miami, was the subject of a thwarted terrorist attack in December of 2001 when “shoe bomber” Richard Reid tried to bring down the aircraft by igniting explosives hidden in his shoes. Reid was later found guilty of terrorism charges in federal court in Massachusetts and sentenced to life in prison.

* Armed Federal Flight Deck Officers are not allowed to carry their guns while flying international routes.

[KsSunflower]

What would you suggest? I fly all the time and, especially on international flights...the lights are off half of the time, most people are sleeping, if you are in economy you have no idea what is going in the front section of the airplane, where most people are kicked back in recliners...it is scary easy to see how the cockpit could be breached in a flat second.

[Velveeta]

ping

[the_Watchman]

Something is obviously wrong here: "was instructed by a FA to go aft, but didn’t. As the cockpit door opened,. . ."

Why, in the blue blazes, would the flight crew allow the door to be opened with a passenger present who had already disobeyed the FA?!?

[PGalt]

Thenks for posting. BTTT!

[nwctwx]

While I would hesitate to say this is not a probe of some sort, I would not be surprised to hear that these folks were more or less pushing the limits to cause a disturbance. I know that several Muslim groups in the U.S. have more or less advocated such "civil disobedience". The fact that these guys are not Americans obviously raises more flags when thinking about probing for future attacks--but I think that the real probers are going to be a little more cautious and discrete.

[Leisler]

The whole thing, including the connected incident with the 5 Imams praying at the airport, could well be a diversion. Generally Muslims prefer targets that aren't ready to defend themselves. Aircraft have become hard targets. They only do this to keep the security bureaucrats thinking( ? ) about aircraft. Meanwhile the Muslims are planning something else. This is a feint in the war against Koranic tererny.

[mewzilla]

Why not use some portable potty for flight crew?

Or astronut diapers.

[Leisler]

tererny = tyranny

[saganite]

This crew violated their own procedures. If they had done as they were trained it wouldn't have happened.

[saganite]

Are you kidding me? The day they lock us up in the cockpit like monkeys at a zoo is the day I turn in my resignation.

[Red Badger]

I'm expecting a attack from a sea-borne source. A boat or small craft laden with explosives on a cruise ship, military vessel or oil/cargo ship or drilling rig. That would send the global economy for a loop..............

[mkjessup]

I think the best way to deal with perps like this is to have it pre-arranged with the cockpit crew that upon a certain code word, the 'fasten seat belts' light comes on, the plane drops down to about 2000 feet, and the FFDOs and the FAs grab the sumb!tches, open the emergency door, and just throw their damn asses out.

If it's over land, they won't survive the fall, if it's over water, the sharks have to suck it up and eat some unappetizing food.

Problem solved.

When boarding, all passengers are given multi-language instructions which read "Want to arrive at your destination alive? - Do NOT interfere with the operation of this aircraft, nor with the crew. Any deviation may result in your experiencing a unexpected and violent death."

[Red Badger]

...would the flight crew allow the door to be opened with a passenger present who had already disobeyed the FA?!?

Exactly. There should have been some signal for the FO's to know there were unauthorized persons in the vicinity of the doors. Are there cameras for them to use to see what's going on outside their door?..........

[Political Junkie Too]

I believe this, that the passengers, upon learning that ME men have taken a flight, will not allow it to continue, IMHO, viza viz Flight 93 type ction.

I might agree with you on US domestic flight, but this was an outbound from France. I'd assume that most passengers are French, not Americans returning home. I'm not so sure that the French passengers would react the same way.

-PJ

[Political Junkie Too]

I know that these are small spaces, but what about a double-door system, like an airlock. Have the FO exit the cockpit via the inner door, lock it, then open the outer door to the cabin? Put a camera and intercom in the between space.

-PJ

[Jeff Head]

I was just in France in December, picking up my son and touring northern France where he had served for the last two years with our church.

The politics in France is as split as it is here. I was impressed with how many solidly conservative people there were there and how many of them wished us, and America, God's speed, despite the antics of their own government. They hope to gain ground in their next elections...just as we hope to gain back lost ground ourselves.

So, I think there may well be enough who would act given what I experienced there in December.

[jack_napier]

I believe this, that the passengers, upon learning that ME men have taken a flight, will not allow it to continue, IMHO, viza viz Flight 93 type ction. I don't know about you guys, but if I saw these assholes trying to rush the cabin, I wouldn't think twice about killing them.

[Political Junkie Too]

Northern France, in the Normandy region, is much different than Paris, where the "youth" uprisings have occured near the airport. I hope you're right.

-PJ

[Jeff Head]

Agreed...nor should we. They are a ruthless enemy intent on killing as many of us, including women and children, as possible and then believing God rewards them with 72 virgins for doing so.

Perverted, twisted thinking on a societal scale amongst these fanatical Islamics. Every bit as dangerous and ruthless as the Nazis or IMperialist Japanese fanatics of World War II.

[teeman8r]

ahhh perhaps they could relieve themselves in the iced cups of the islamofascists hanging out in the forward galley...

teeman