ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9 registration unknown Atlanta Municipal Airport, GA (ATL)
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Status:
Date:Monday 18 August 1980
Type:McDonnell Douglas DC-9
Operator:Eastern Air Lines
Registration: registration unknown
MSN:
First flight:
Crew:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Total:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 59
Aircraft damage: None
Location:Atlanta Municipal Airport, GA (ATL) (   United States of America)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Melbourne International Airport, FL (MLB/KMLB), United States of America
Destination airport:Atlanta Municipal Airport, GA (ATL/KATL), United States of America
Flightnumber:EA348
Narrative:
Just prior to landing at Atlanta a flight attendant received a two page note written by the hijacker. In the note he claimed to have a bomb in the baggage compartment and a remote control device to detonate it. He demanded $3.4 million, release of two prisoners and flight to Cuba. He held a taped up paper bag with small pull-type firecrackers and keys on the outside. He also claimed to have explosives attached to his leg. Since the aircraft was on final approach the pilot landed at Atlanta where the crew and other passengers deplaned. The local police boarded and took the hijacker into custody.
The paper bag contained only balloons. His checked baggage contained a handgun and bullets but no explosives. Air piracy charges dismissed due to mental incompetence.

Classification:
Hijack


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Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Melbourne International Airport, FL to Atlanta Municipal Airport, GA as the crow flies is 709 km (443 miles).

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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