Pacific Airlines Flight 773, a scheduled flight connecting Sacramento to San Francisco, was hijacked on the afternoon of May 7, 1964, by Francisco Gonzales. While the plane was in the air, Gonzales, armed, demanded that the pilots divert their course towards Mexico. During this tense situation, a struggle broke out in the cockpit as the crew attempted to regain control of the aircraft, which was exacerbated by Gonzales's erratic behavior. Tragically, in the chaos, the plane crashed into a heavily wooded area in Contra Costa County, resulting in the death of all 44 individuals on board.

The Martin 4-0-4 aircraft was operating at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet when the hijacking took place. Gonzales, in his attempts to control the aircraft, was reportedly yelling and making unpredictable demands. Following the crash, investigation revealed that the plane had descended rapidly, losing altitude as the pilots fought to regain operational control while managing the threats posed by the hijacker. The aircraft ultimately crashed just two minutes after the first hijack attempt was reported.

In the aftermath of the crash, it was discovered that Gonzales was under the influence of alcohol, which contributed to his irrational behavior. The incident marked a significant moment in aviation safety and security, leading to increased scrutiny of airport and flight security measures, as well as stricter regulations concerning hijacking incidents in the ensuing years. The tragic end to Flight 773 served as a catalyst for discussions about the need for comprehensive procedures to address hijacking threats in commercial aviation.