The article recounts the 1994 attack on FedEx Flight 705, where a crew member attempted to hijack the plane but was thwarted by the skilled response of the cockpit crew.
On April 7, 1994, FedEx Flight 705, a DC-10 cargo plane, took off from Memphis heading for San José, California, carrying electronic equipment intended for Silicon Valley. Among the crew was an 'extra crew member' named Auburn Calloway, who had meticulously planned a hijacking to transform the flight into what he hoped would be 'the perfect accident.' As the flight progressed, Calloway initiated his attack at 20,000 feet, armed with two hammers and a harpoon, aiming to overpower the crew and seize control of the aircraft.
The crew, comprising experienced pilots Captain David Sanders, First Officer James Tucker, and Flight Engineer Andrew Peterson, quickly recognized the threat posed by Calloway. In a display of remarkable teamwork and composure under pressure, they executed a series of maneuvers and defensive tactics to thwart the hijacking attempt. Their swift actions not only saved the lives of everyone on board but also averted a potential disaster that could have had far-reaching consequences for air travel security at that time.
This incident highlights the critical importance of crew training in emergency situations and the need for robust security measures in the aviation industry. The response from the Flight 705 crew serves as an exemplary case study in how personnel can respond effectively in life-threatening circumstances, and it led to increased scrutiny and improvements in airline security protocols, shaping the industry standards that are still relevant today.
