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.

[r9etb]

Hm. Sounds plausible at first, but then we get to this part: "One of the perps was in the forward galley, was instructed by a FA to go aft, but didn’t. As the cockpit door opened...."

That's where the account leaves the tracks. The procedure would be to call to get back in only after the area by the cockpit door is clear. You wouldn't call for the cockpit door to be opened with passengers just hanging out in the area, especially if they're refusing to leave the area.

Not saying it's made up, necessarily, but the scenario doesn't add up.

I happened to watch the cockpit entry/exit procedure taking place during my last trip. The FA checks the area around the door, and stands so that the supposed "unseen second man" couldn't suddenly appear "from around the galley." It's not plausible that the crew would even make the call to get in until it's been verified there's nobody in a position to rush the cockpit.

[r9etb]

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?!?

They wouldn't. The story sounds fishy. The first tip-off is the Penthouse Forum-style start to the story: "This is not meant to scare, but it probably will."

[mad_as_he$$]

Weapons are all around you - even on aircraft.

[Velveeta]

I think so too.

[kevinm13]

There are air marshalls on planes for a reason. Same goes for the peep hole in the cockpit door.

Refusing to be seated when requested by a flight crew should be the same as any other interference with the progress of a flight or flight personnel. Charges should be filed and they should be held in a maximum security prison pending trial. Deportation is exactly what they wanted. Barely a slap on the wrist. The same passengers also need to be on the "Do Not Fly" list and should raise big warning bells if they get a ticket on any American-based airline or into the US.

[r9etb]

Weapons are all around you - even on aircraft.

The aircraft itself is a perfect weapon. A pilot can beat an unfastened passenger to death simply by pulling and pushing the control column.

[mad_as_he$$]

Sounds like a serious breach of protocol.

I was on a SWA flight last Thursday and the FA clearly WOULD not let the door open until the first five rows were clear and everyone was seated. She also did a great job at boarding time "helping" what looked like a Muslim man find a comfortable seat back about 10 rows. The guy never even knew he had been steered away from the front row. It was a piece of art.

[WestCoastGal]

Thanks Vel.

I keep wondering why the airlines on still on red alert.

There may be more of this than we know going on........or is it CYA time? The country is still on yellow alert, will they ever change that? Do they care? Is anyone paying attention?

Is the border closed yet?

Yes
No
No
NO
NOOOOOOOOO

[rogue yam]

Why not use some portable potty for flight crew?

Or diapers? If they're good enough for lovelorn astronauts...

[sionnsar]

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.

Given that the destination is the US, why shouldn't at least half be Americans?

Wish I'd taken an informal tally when my wife and I returned from Paris last October. (Parisian French is her other native language, so there were no problems in communications.)

[sionnsar]

I was impressed with how many solidly conservative people there were there and how many of them wished us, and America, God's speed,

Back in 1980 we had a French girl we'd known from college living with us (in a tiny 500- sq ft cabin). Her parents flew out from Marseille and visited with us one evening.

I'll never forget their apologies for their country(men), but they wanted us to know how they loved and appreciated America, not least for their liberation.

[Grenada]

read later

[Velveeta]

I think we now know why the airlines are still on red alert.

Border? What border?
Our border protection is a joke.

[Cindy]

Thanks to Velveeta for the ping to this thread.

---

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1793738/posts?page=209#209

[Guenevere]

bttt to read later

[Oorang]

Thanks for the ping Vel, most interesting.

[Capt_Hank]

I posted this, last month on another thread.

I was on the "red eye", flying from Las Vegas to West Palm Beach (US Airways), last night. I was seated in 1st class. I was watching the other people boarding the plane. Well, four young Muslims (mid-twenties), were heading to the coach section. About 15 minutes later, an elderly white gentleman, was escorted by a male flight attendant to the door. He then told the gentleman, that he had to leave, because of his vocal barrage directed to the flight attendant. I heard the man, tell the attendant, "you don't know the whole story, about what happened back there". The Captain was then standing in the door listening to the conversation. At this time, the US Marshal, (blew his cover)joined into the conversation. Another 10 minutes went by and the Captain alerted the head attendant, to remove two of the Muslims. They walked up the aisle without any words, and left the plane. I was surprised that no security or police was there to greet them on their departure.

I would still love to know, what words were exchanged between the elderly guy and the two Muslims.

Needless to say, I didn't close my eyes during the flight home.

[aculeus]

I posted this, last month on another thread.

Thanks for reposting it.

[Sender]

I still think the airlines should place a hickory tire knocker in the back pouch of each seat with the barf bag. Then try to jihad down the aisle.

[OldPossum]

I like the way you think.