Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 Crash
December 7th, 1987
December 7th, 1987
How Long Ago?
37 years, 3 months, 8 days ago
Location
Paso Robles, California, USA
Category
Accidents & Tragedies
People
- David Burke
- William McCauley
- John W. H. W. Fagan
- Michael O. H. Blount
Links & References
Tags
Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 Crash
Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, a British Aerospace 146-200A, crashed near Paso Robles, California, killing all 43 on board. The plane was hijacked by a disgruntled passenger, who shot his ex-boss before killing the pilots. This act of violence led to the aircraft being deliberately steered into the ground, resulting in total loss of life.
Flight 1771 was a British Aerospace 146-200A.
David Burke shot his ex-boss and the pilots.
The crash killed all 43 people on board.
Incident led to heightened airline security measures.
What Happened?
Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 was a scheduled passenger flight operating from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport. On December 7, 1987, the aircraft, a British Aerospace 146-200A, was hijacked mid-flight by 44-year-old David Burke, a former employee of the airline. After boarding the flight, Burke was carrying a .44 caliber pistol which he concealed in a briefcase. After taking a window seat, he proceeded to shoot William McCauley, his former boss and a fellow passenger, before turning the weapon on the pilots, Captain John W. H. W. Fagan and First Officer Michael O. H. Blount. After injuring them critically, he took control of the cockpit and maneuvered the aircraft into the ground, crashing it in a remote area near Paso Robles, California. All 43 individuals on board lost their lives in this catastrophic event. The crime led to a significant examination of airline security measures and protocols regarding passengers and weapons on aircraft.
Why Does it Matter?
The crash of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 highlighted vulnerabilities in airline security, particularly the need for stricter measures regarding passenger screening and cockpit access. It garnered national attention, prompting federal investigations and eventual changes in aviation policies aimed at preventing similar incidents. The tragic loss of life spurred discussions about the psychological evaluations of airline employees and the importance of addressing workplace grievances to prevent retaliation against coworkers.
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