United Airlines Flight 696

United Airlines Flight 696
Hijack summary
Date March 13, 1978
Summary Aircraft hijacking
Site Memphis, Denver, USA
Injuries (non-fatal) 3 crew members
Survivors All 75
Aircraft type Boeing 727
Operator United Airlines
Flight origin San Francisco International Airport, CA
1st stopover Oakland, CA
Last stopover Denver, CO.
Destination Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, WA

United Airlines Flight 696 was a flight between San Francisco International Airport and Seattle. After take off at San Francisco, Clay Thomas, hijacked the flight, demanding they land in Oakland and fuel up for a flight to Cuba. The crew negotiated the release of all passengers and cabin crew while on the ground in Oakland waiting for fuel. During fueling,Thomas, panicked at the sight of multiple police vehicles and cut fueling short and demanded an immediate departure to Cuba. Once airborne the pilot explained that the aircraft still did not have enough fuel to reach Cuba,and Thomas agreed to land in Denver for more fuel. About 90 minutes after landing, the cockpit crew jumped to safety from the open cockpit windows. All 3 crew were injured by the 18 foot jump. Within 5 minutes of the escape and without hostages, Thomas meekly surrendered to the FBI. Thomas is to this day, still incarcerated in a mental Institution in Colorado.[1]

References

  1. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 727-222 registration unknown Memphis, Denver". Aviation Safety Network.