In Belizean airspace: Hijacking attempt on Tropic Air Flight 711
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Apr 19
- 2 min read
On April 17, 2025, a dramatic and harrowing incident unfolded in Belizean airspace when an American passenger, armed with a knife, attempted to hijack a domestic Tropic Air flight.
The swift and courageous actions of fellow passengers and crew averted a potential catastrophe.
The flight in question, Tropic Air Flight 711, was a routine domestic journey from Corozal to San Pedro, carrying 14 passengers and two crew members aboard a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan EX.
According to CNN, shortly after takeoff, 49-year-old Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a U.S. citizen and reportedly a military veteran, brandished a knife and demanded that the pilot divert the aircraft out of Belize, possibly to Mexico or the United States.
Taylor had previously been denied entry into Belize, and authorities are investigating how he managed to re-enter the country and board the flight with a weapon.
Mid-Air struggle and heroic intervention
During the hijacking, Taylor stabbed two passengers and the pilot. One of the injured passengers, Fitzgerald Brown, despite suffering a punctured lung from a stab wound, managed to retrieve his legally carried firearm and fatally shot Taylor in the chest.
The aircraft, which had been circling erratically over Belize City for nearly two hours, landed safely at Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, closely monitored by a police helicopter.
Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams praised Brown's actions, stating, «He's our hero.»
Aftermath and ongoing investigations
Taylor was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. The injured passengers and pilot were hospitalized, with Brown remaining in critical condition. The U.S. Embassy in Belize is collaborating with local authorities to investigate the incident and Taylor's background. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce described the event as «horrifying» and expressed relief that a greater tragedy was averted.
Belizean officials are reviewing security protocols, particularly concerning the lack of screenings at smaller airports, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Commendations for grew and passengers
Tropic Air CEO Maximillian Greif lauded the pilot's composure and bravery, stating,
«In the face of incomprehensible pressure, our pilot acted with extraordinary courage and calm, guiding the aircraft to a safe landing. His actions were nothing short of heroic.»
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness in aviation security, even on domestic flights, and highlights the extraordinary courage displayed by individuals in the face of imminent danger.
