by C. J. Stott
Like the captain and first officer, Stan’s assessment also was that it was unlikely the aircraft’s forward motion would stop before the airplane hit the radio transmitter building.
The 747 continued to rumble away from the right side of Runway 9. As diminishing inertia pushed the fuselage along the ground, and the aircraft slowed. With a growing cloud of dust, ground up seashells and coral, the slowing aircraft came to an abrupt and unceremonious stop when it collided with the cinderblock transmitter building. The west and north walls of the structure were completely demolished as were the radio transmitters inside the building.
The crippled 747 rested against the south and east exterior walls of the shack. Fred looked down through his side window and saw an upturned desk and a smoking equipment rack. The floor inside the building was littered with papers and electronic equipment.
The aircraft had stopped four hundred feet from the end of the runway, and two hundred feet off to the right side. The approach and landing had consumed over two miles of runway. More than eleven thousand feet of concrete had passed under the crippled 747 in less than two minutes.
Had the aircraft’s forward momentum not been subdued by the Instrument Landing System shack, the airplane, passengers and crew would have crossed the Perimeter Road surrounding the Miami International Airport.
Chapter 95
23:12 Eastern Standard Time
South of Runway 9 at Miami International Airport
Precariously, her crumpled nose rested on the destroyed concrete cinderblock building and three of the four main landing gear struts. The number four engine had failed, having been reduced to rubble by sustained contact with the runway and ground. Engines one, two and three were still running at some level.
As a matter of safety protocol, Stan secured and shut down all four engines. With a loss of Normal AC power, the EMERGENCY EXIT LIGHTS illuminated. Standby lighting flickered and came on throughout the cabin.
Following standard procedure, Kurtz pulled all four fire pull handles and discharged both Halon 1301 extinguisher agents into each Pratt and Whitney JT-9D engine nacelles.
As if in an anti-climactic moment, the nose of the 747 was slowly obscured by clouds of dirt and dust that overtook and engulfed the mortally-stilled airplane.
Don’s voice boomed throughout the cabin over the emergency Public Address system, “This is the Captain. Flight Attendants assess for fire danger and passenger injuries. Assess the need to evacuate.” He waited, then added, “Amelio, report to the cockpit.”
Don started to hang up the microphone. He noticed he was shaking. After a second he said, “Any sign of fire, notify the cockpit immediately.”
Fred reached for his radio microphone. “Tower, we’re here. The nose and one of our main landing gear collapsed.” With more than a bit of nervous laughter he said, “Also looks like we pretty well wiped out the Glide Slope shack.” He paused, “We don’t think there is any fire.”
“From our position, we concur. No visible fire.”
“Hurry with the equipment.” He nervously paused and looked for the fire equipment. He saw none.
“I don’t know how well balanced the aircraft is. Tell the emergency equipment crew not to go under the belly or tail. She may settle.”
The tower came back instantly. “Can you confirm you have no fire on board?”
“Roger. As far as we know, there is no fire on board. Do you see any fire equipment near the aircraft?”
“The trucks are coming along side now. They are on your right side, behind the aircraft.”
The first officer looked out his right window and still could not see the crash vehicles. After a second of peering into the dark, be began to see changing reflections from the flashing emergency lights, dimly penetrated the smoke and dust in the air.
Fred said, “Tower. If the company can bring portable stairs, we won’t have to use the emergency slides. Call the company and tell them we need at least two sets of ramp stairs for deplaning.”
“Good thinking, Fred. I told the flight attendants not to use the slides unless we initiated the EVAC alarm. “
They looked at each other and both started to laugh. Don spoke to Fred as if he were the Captain, looked directly at him and said, “Well, Captain, what do you think? Shall we start to have the passengers move for an orderly disembarking?”
“I believe the term is disembarkation, sir.”
“Stan, how are you doing? Everything secured back there?”
“Right. All’s okay here.”
Don again took command, “Let’s secure the cockpit. I don’t know what other checklists we should complete, but let’s make sure we haven’t missed anything.”
Stan and Fred completed the necessary tasks to secure the cockpit and then read the AFTER LANDING and SECURE COCKPIT checklist. When they had finished their litany, Stan said, “Checklists are complete, Sir.”
“Thanks Stan.” Then thinking, Don said, “Actually, thanks to both of you for all your help with this mission. I have never experienced anything like this and hope I never do again.”
Fred said, “Ah, shucks. Gomer. I was just starting to enjoy all the excitement.”
Stan added, “Fred, sometimes you need to know when to think before you speak. I agree with Don. I hope I never, ever, go through a drill like this again.”
Chapter 96
23:16 Eastern Standard Time
South of Runway 9 at Miami International Airport
They all three heard the muffled familiar sound of a first class door being opened. The Cabin chime and blue ‘Call’ light signaled someone was trying to call the cockpit.
Fred answered, “Cockpit.”
“This is Amelio in First Class and all the passengers want to move to the front of the airplane. They are very restless and not very orderly. Can we get more steps up to the aircraft, maybe on the left side?”
They could hear the commotion. Passengers started to push and shove toward the only open exit door. This was the exit to their salvation. Passage through it would allow them to leave the hijacked aircraft and set foot on the ground.
Don picked up the hand held public address microphone, “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Captain Webber. Please do not start moving in the aircraft, the balance of the ship may be unstable. Your moving around could upset that balance. Please remain in, or return to your seats. When it is safe and appropriate for you to leave the aircraft, we will advise you. Your leaving must be done in a very organized way. Please remain in your seats.”
He took a long deep breath. “I can see from here that some of you are not cooperating,” and thought to himself, “They don’t I know I can’t see any of them from up here.” As an afterthought, he added, “When we leave the aircraft, we’ll do it by rows. Most likely, the last rows will go first and the folks nearer the front will be the last to deplane. We’re doing this because the balance of the aircraft is not known and we don’t want the airplane to rock back on the tail.”
Don continued, “Everybody hold your position. Do not move. There is no danger as long as the aircraft doesn’t shift. We’ll let you know when it’s safe to leave the airplane. One last thing, when we do deplane, we want you to leave all your personal belongings behind. They’ll be safe here.” Don knew the reason for leaving the belongings on board was to smooth the evacuation flow. He continued, “No need to attempt to lug your carry-on baggage with you at this time. Leave it on board.”
The tower called, “100. Company has advised they are sending four mobile stairs to you. I can see your forward door on the left side has been opened. When the passengers deplane, asked them to walk away from the aircraft and stand on the grass strip next to the run-up area for Runway 30.”
Fred said, “Thanks. We’ll tell ‘em.”
Then he looked at Don, quizzically, “You want to start them off the boat now? Or do you want to wait until the other steps are brought to the aircraft?”
Don considered the question, when Stan said, “Both l
eft and right doors in First Class are opened.”
“Go ahead and tell the cabin team to start the deplaning and have the passengers all start moving from the back rows toward the front, so we can keep the weight forward of the main body gear.”
Fred rang the signal for the forward cabin door on the left side of the aircraft and Amelio answered immediately, “L1.”
“Amelio, this is Fred. It’s show time, folks. Let ‘em start to deplane. Keep them moving forward all the time. We want to keep the weight forward in the airplane. Have the folks in the cheap seats in the back move forward first. Got that?”
“Jes, Fred.” Amelio’s Hispanic accent thickened when he was excited, “Some passengers have already started to leave. They are very anxious to get out.”
“Amelio. Make another PA announcement. Tell the passengers to walk away from the aircraft and stand on the grass next to the runway on the left side of the aircraft.”
“I’ll do that and I’ll let you know when all the passengers have deplaned.”
Chapter 97
23:20 Eastern Standard Time
South of Runway 9 at Miami International Airport
“Tower, this is the Captain. I want law enforcement personnel out here on the double to remove the hijacker. We have him restrained and I want him arrested.”
Don turned to Carlton. “If you are able, go below and assist with the deplaning.”
Carlton first looked at Don and then at Bill Guerrero. The hijacker looked like he was barely aware of where he was, or even who he was. Carlton got to his feet slowly and showed a disgusted look of contempt and disdain for the hijacker.
“I just wanted to be your friend, but you hurt me and you threatened me. You embarrassed me and humiliated me in front of my friends and my passengers. You tried to kill me. You, you. .” Carlton tried to think of the most despicable term he could confer on the hijacker. He shook his head side-to-side and said, “asshole.”
In two steps, Carlton was all over him. He kicked him in the face, chest, in the ribs and finally he kicked him squarely in the groin. Don started out of his seat to pull Carlton away from his tied adversary.
“Stop. That’s enough. He can’t hurt you any more. Let him be. The police are on the way to deal with him.
“You have a responsibility to your passengers. Now go on. Go below and see what you can do to help.”
Carlton left the cockpit and gingerly walked down the spiral staircase to First Class.
“OK, fellas, it looks like we did it. Let’s go below and see how the evacuation is coming along.”
Fred and Stan both got up and quickly left, leaving Don and the hijacker alone in the silent cockpit.
Chapter 98
23:25 Eastern Standard Time
South of Runway 9 at Miami International Airport
Bill attempted to pull himself up into a sitting position, but the restraints allowed him little freedom or motion. His right eye had already swollen shut. Carlton’s pointed shoe had knocked out one of his front teeth. He had blood running from his nose and mouth. He was curled in a fetal position. His head pressed against the cockpit bulkhead. He looked up at Don, his eyes imploring him for mercy, forgiveness and compassion.
“Our courts are going to find you guilty. I am going to encourage my crew to testify against you at your trial. I hope they lock you up and throw away the key. I hope your ass rots off in jail, you miserable son of a bitch.”
“Do you have any idea what you did? Do you realize we all came very close to dying because of you? Do you know that?” He raised his voice, “Do you?”
“Answer me, you dumb son of a bitch.”
Bill remained absolutely silent, but his eyes changed and now revealed the abiding internal terror he felt.
Don lifted the cover on the Second Officer’s deck where Stan had secured the handgun. He touched the damp and bloody pistol with disgust.
He carefully pointed the gun directly at the hijacker’s head. “Did you think you could get away with this hijacking?”
His voice rose. “Didn’t you know that you would have been arrested in Havana? Why did you do this?” Now he was yelling, “Did you think you could do this all alone?”
Reflexively, Bill said, “I’m not alone. I had help.” He knew he should say no more. Yet, he believed if he told the Captain some of the truth, maybe things would go better for him. “I had help here in Miami and also in Havana.”
The hijacker’s remarks puzzled Don. How could he have help in Miami? Less than two hours ago, no one knew they were going to Miami.
He started to ask Bill about this false story, but was interrupted when what was left of the cockpit door opened and three uniformed police officers plus two civilians in suits entered.
The Miami Dade Airport Police Department officer and the others had their service revolvers drawn.
“Hey Cap. Why don’t you hand me that gun? Ok, Cap?”
“Yes fine. Here he is.” Don motioned to the hijacker and handed the bloody graphite pistol to the closest officer. “Do you think you could put your service revolver away, too? We have had enough guns in the cockpit for one day.”
All three law enforcement officers surveyed Bill Guerrero. The uniformed officer with all the service stripes on his sleeve returned his service revolver to his holster. He turned to the others. “Cover me.”
Quickly, he pulled Bill into a hobbled contorted position. With his pocket knife, the officer cut three of the nylon restraints. Now Bill could stand erect though his hands were still tied. Admiring the way the hijacker was trussed, “You did a pretty good job, Cap. We could use you in the department.”
The officer reached back and pulled a pair of stainless steel handcuffs from his belt. He used his knife and cut the last restraint. With practiced skill he roughly pushed Bill against the bulkhead. Bill’s face was pressed flat against the rough gray circuit breaker panel. Quickly and quietly, he slipped the cuffs on him and then tightened them until Bill flinched. The other two officers said not a word.
After he was handcuffed, one of the officers said, “If you don’t mind Captain, we’d be more than glad to take him off your hands.”
Don looked at Bill with contempt. “Get the son of a bitch out of here,” and stood back as the uniformed officer turned Bill toward the bent and broken cockpit door and firmly pushed him into the upper deck area. Both the other officers whom Don guessed were Feds, followed.
The senior ranking officer said, “Oh, and Cap, we’ll need you to make a statement when all this is over. Also, my friends here from the federal government are going to want to talk to you and to your crew.”
He acknowledged the senior ranking officer. “As soon as all the passengers are safely secured, I’ll gather my crew and we’ll get with both of you.”
Don knew that was not going to happen immediately. First he was going to call the Air Line Pilots Association 800 number hotline. This was a representational service the ALPA union staffed 24 hours a day for the benefit of any members who found themselves in this predicament.
Chapter 99
23:35 Eastern Standard Time
West of Runway 9 at Miami International Airport
Don left the cockpit and was shaking badly.
He realized that he had not thought about Kathryn for the past several hours and quietly wondered if she would still be waiting for him at her apartment. That no longer seemed important to him. He thought of how close he and his passengers had come to dying today.
He wanted to get away from the airplane, the airport and the crowds.
For the first time in a long time, Don thought of Ruth and wanted to talk to her; to tell her how scared he had been. Afraid of getting older. Afraid of dying today. He needed her and cared for her.
Epilogue
Typical Boeing 747-200 Flight Deck
Captain Don Webber - The impact of the hijacking and its potential for disaster caused Captain Webber to appreciate the fragility of life and the importance of family;
in particular, his wife. He terminated his relationship with Kathryn Lundgren, never seeing her again after he returned to San Francisco from Miami. He confided to his wife that he had had an affair, but that it was over. Don and Ruth Webber attended several marriage counseling sessions. However, within nine months Ruth Webber filed for divorce, which was uncontested. A final decree was ordered by the court in San Francisco County.
First Officer Fred O’Day - Was invited by his employer to become an instructor pilot in the company’s training center. His natural ability to communicate and put his fellow pilots at ease has served him well in his newly found career.
Second Officer Stan Kurtz - Took an extended vacation after the hijacking. He returned to San Francisco with his wife and children and was awarded a First Officer bid on the Boeing 767.
Senior Dispatcher Frankfurt Lazlo Fielding - The Federal Aviation Administration sought to have his Dispatcher’s License revoked for “Insubordination and Failure to Cooperate with the Agency during an Act of Aerial Piracy - A Violation of Federal Air Regulation 121.638 (b).”
The primary proponent in the civil action against Fielding was Ed James, who strongly advocated the legal action against the dispatcher. The National Transportation Board Hearing and Appeals Board overruled the Federal Aviation Administration’s petition against Fielding.
After all federal hearings had ended, Fielding opted for an early retirement and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With medical intervention and counseling, he was successful in his attempt to stop smoking.
