KLM hi-jack – accident report
The following article was taken from the Oct/Nov 1973 edition of Take-Off.
Since all the local news media and other publications gave their version of the saga of the hi-jacked Boeing 747 at Luqa, it would be very unfitting if our association did not present its own version of the event.
Monday, 26th November.
Three of our members who are always on the alert – pardon the expression – were at Luqa at about 17.30, some twenty minutes before touchdown of the Jumbo, seeking the best positions to observe the landing. Confirmation that the Jumbo was to land at Luqa came at about 16.30, when the captain asked for permission to land. Details of the runway in use, serviceability’s etc, were given, but the “go-ahead” came at about 16.40. The captain announced that he had fuel for 60 minutes plus, and the aircraft was held over the MLG (Gozo) Beacon at 20,000 feet to burn off fuel. The main runway 24/06 is only 7,800 feet in length, and there was some anxiety as to whether the Jumbo would make a safe landing. Fortunately, the pilot made a perfect landing on runway 24 at 17.50. The amount of runway used was just over 5,500 feet. A remarkable achievement on behalf of the pilot and crew.
The Jumbo taxied onto runway 32, opposite the civil terminal and shut down its engines. Immediately, members’ cameras staring flashing and clicking, but very few photos came out properly as the nose wheel landing light nearly ruined all of them. A few good shots were taken only when the refueling bowsers approached the aircraft.
Negotiations were started between the control tower and the pilot, who asked for a B.747 engineer (who was unavailable, as Malta is not equipped to service such a large aircraft) plus 25 Quarts of oil, and 27,000 US gallons of fuel. All personnel and vehicles were instructed by the hi-jackers approach from the front of the aircraft, within the beam of light. Attempts to refuel the aircraft were hampered from the start, because of a lack of trickie long enough to reach the refueling points. The hi-jackers then asked for a KLM official and a diplomat in exchange for the 247 passengers. As no KLM official was in Malta, a DC-9 had to come from Palermo. It landed at 20.45, and parked on the northern taxiway, adjacent to Park 4.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Dom Mintoff, arrived at the Luqa Tower just after 22.00 hours, and immediately began negotiations with the hi-jackers, through their interpreter. After lengthy negotiations, it was agreed that when half of the required fuel was delivered, the KLM official would go onboard the aircraft, and half of the passengers would be released. The remaining passengers would be released as soon as all the fuel had been supplied. It was stated that it would be suicide to attempt to take-off with the fuel and passengers.
Tuesday, 27th November.
After a long night of negotiations and mistrust, the required fuel was delivered and the passengers released, using the emergency chute as no gangway long enough was available. The release of the 8 hostesses was more difficult to obtain, but they were released after lengthy discussions as a sign of gratitude from the hi-jackers for Mr. Mintoff’s co-operation.
At about 07.00 hours, the Jumbo started its engines, made a U-turn on runway 32 and taxied onto the threshold of runway 24. Whilst awaiting clearance for take-off, the tower informed the pilot that one of the nose-wheels was in a dangerous state. Nevertheless, at 07.05 the take off run was begun, and after rolling for about 5,500 feet, an uneventful take-off was accomplished, thus ending 15 hours of hard bargaining and suspense.
After leaving Malta, KLM861 landed at Dubai at about mid-day, took off again but had to return, when no other country gave it to permission to land. The hi-jackers gave themselves up after acquiring assurances of safe conduct out of the country.