10 Stories about Airplane Hijackers Who Aren’t D.B. Cooper

Airplane hijacking is an act that strikes fear into the hearts of passengers and crew alike. While the infamous D.B. Cooper often comes to mind when discussing this terrifying crime, history is filled with other hijackers whose audacious acts have left a lasting impact on aviation security and the broader public consciousness.

Each of these hijackers brought their own unique motivations, methods, and madness to the skies, creating moments of sheer terror that have been etched into history. Here is a list of ten airplane hijackers, excluding D.B. Cooper, whose actions have shaken the world. From desperate demands to tragic outcomes, these stories delve into the darker side of human ambition and despair.

Related: Top 10 Terrifying Facts About Airplanes

10 Arthur Barkley: A Desperate Act of Retribution

Arthur Gates Barkley was a man driven to the edge by a series of unfortunate events, culminating in his decision to hijack a plane over Arizona. Barkley’s life took a sharp downturn after a car accident left him with hearing difficulties, which subsequently cost him his job as a salesman driver in Phoenix. Adding to his frustration, Barkley believed that the IRS owed him $471.78, a sum he claimed was unjustly withheld, further fueling his resentment toward the government. Feeling wronged by his employers and society at large, Barkley saw hijacking as a means of drawing attention to his plight.

On June 4, 1970, Barkley boarded a Trans World Airlines flight armed with a briefcase that he claimed contained a bomb. His demands were peculiar: he wanted the government to pay his debt and reinstate his job. Though his actions were rooted in personal grievances rather than political motives, they nonetheless sparked a significant security response. After a tense standoff, Barkley was subdued by FBI agents, ending the hijacking without any loss of life.^[1]

9 Richard LaPoint: The Ex-Paratrooper’s Paradox

Richard LaPoint’s story is one of irony and desperation. A 23-year-old ex-paratrooper, LaPoint found himself on the wrong side of the law when he hijacked a jet airliner at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. He demanded a ransom of $50,000, two parachutes, and a crash helmet. His weapon of choice was as surprising as his demands: a highway flare wired to a nine-volt battery, which he passed off as a bomb. This rudimentary device was enough to instill fear among passengers and crew, who had no choice but to comply with his demands. Once his demands were met, he released 56 passengers and two flight attendants.

The incident unfolded on October 31, 1971, and it quickly became apparent that LaPoint was not the typical hijacker. His military background and the meticulous planning of his escape suggested a level of expertise that belied his eventual capture. After the plane landed in Denver for refueling, LaPoint was overpowered by FBI agents who stormed the aircraft, ending the hijacking without bloodshed.

Despite his detailed preparations, LaPoint’s attempt to escape via parachute—an irony considering his paratrooper past—never materialized. He was arrested and sentenced to a lengthy prison term, marking his story as a cautionary tale of how desperation and skill can intertwine in the most unexpected ways.^[2]

8 Frederick Hahneman: The Honduran Hideout

Frederick Hahneman’s hijacking of Eastern Airlines Flight 175 stands out for its bold execution and the bizarre aftermath. On May 7, 1972, Hahneman boarded the flight in Allentown, Pennsylvania, armed with a gun and a plan to extort a hefty ransom. He demanded $303,000—an oddly specific sum—and instructed the pilot to fly the plane to Washington, D.C., where the ransom was to be delivered. After receiving the money, Hahneman ordered the plane to fly toward Honduras, his native country, where he planned to make his escape.

Upon reaching Honduran airspace, Hahneman parachuted from the plane, disappearing into the dense jungles below. For more than 20 days, he eluded capture, surviving in the wilderness with the ransom money in tow. However, the harsh conditions and fear of capture soon took their toll, and Hahneman eventually surrendered to the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa.

In a surprising twist, none of the ransom money was recovered, leaving authorities baffled about its whereabouts. Hahneman’s hijacking remains one of the more unusual cases in aviation history, illustrating the lengths to which individuals will go to escape justice, only to find themselves trapped by their own circumstances.^[3]

7 Richard McCoy: The Daring Copycat

Richard McCoy’s hijacking of United Airlines Flight 855 on April 7, 1972, bore an uncanny resemblance to the infamous D.B. Cooper case, leading many to speculate that McCoy might have been inspired by, or even connected to, the mysterious hijacker. McCoy, a former Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, boarded the flight carrying a hand grenade and a handgun, ready to execute his meticulously planned heist. His demands were straightforward: $500,000 in cash and four parachutes.

Once the ransom was delivered during a stop in San Francisco, McCoy released the passengers and instructed the pilot to take off again. His plan was to parachute out over Provo, Utah, where he hoped to make his escape. However, McCoy’s fate differed from that of D.B. Cooper. After his daring jump, McCoy was tracked down by the FBI, thanks to his distinctive handwriting on the ransom note and other incriminating evidence left behind. He was arrested just two days after the hijacking and sentenced to 45 years in prison for air piracy.^[4]

6 Martin McNally: The Machine Gun Hijacker

Martin McNally’s hijacking of an American Airlines flight on June 23, 1972, is a case of raw terror and bold demands. Armed with a machine gun, McNally took control of the aircraft shortly after takeoff, forcing the crew to follow his orders under threat of violence. His demands were audacious: $502,000 in cash and a parachute, with plans to jump from the plane after securing his loot.

As the plane circled back to St. Louis to deliver the ransom, McNally’s imposing presence and heavily armed threat kept the passengers and crew in a state of fear. Despite his seemingly well-thought-out plan, McNally’s escape did not go as intended. After parachuting out of the plane, he was quickly apprehended by authorities, who had been tracking his movements. The hijacking earned McNally two life sentences, a harsh but fitting punishment for a crime that could have ended in far greater tragedy.^[5]

5 James Bennett Jr.: The Hijacker without a Weapon

James Bennett Jr.’s hijacking on July 21, 1972, is a chilling example of how words alone can instill fear and chaos. Unlike other hijackers who relied on weapons to exert control, Bennett’s only tool was a fabricated story that sent shockwaves through the plane’s cabin. Claiming that he had a bomb onboard, Bennett managed to take control of the flight and issue demands, including $500,000 in ransom and a flight to the Bahamas.

Despite the lack of an actual weapon, Bennett’s calm demeanor and convincing lies were enough to manipulate the situation in his favor. The incident came to a head when authorities stormed the plane after it landed in Miami, subduing Bennett without any injuries to passengers or crew. His wife later revealed that Bennett struggled with alcoholism and mental health issues, shedding light on the personal demons that may have driven him to commit such a desperate act.^[6]

4 Glen Kurt Tripp: A Repeat Offender’s Tragic End

Glen Kurt Tripp was a notorious American hijacker known for his involvement in two attempted airplane hijackings in the early 1980s. His first incident took place on July 11, 1980, when he hijacked Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 608 en route from Seattle to Portland. Tripp demanded $100,000 and two parachutes—a nod to D.B. Cooper’s infamous hijacking from 1971. After a tense 10-hour standoff, the situation was defused when Tripp was overpowered by FBI agents. It later emerged that he had taken Valium before the hijacking, impairing his decision-making.

Undeterred by his previous failure, Tripp attempted a second hijacking on January 20, 1983. Again targeting a Northwest Airlines flight, he demanded to be flown to Afghanistan. This time, however, the situation escalated much more rapidly. As Tripp threatened the lives of passengers and crew, FBI agents intervened decisively. During the confrontation, Tripp was fatally shot by the FBI, bringing the hijacking to a swift end.^[7]

3 Paul Joseph Cini: A Foiled Attempt with Deadly Intent

Paul Joseph Cini’s hijacking of an Air Canada flight on November 12, 1971, was a harrowing event that underscored the threat posed by individuals driven to desperate measures. Armed with a shotgun, Cini boarded the plane with a singular, dangerous mission. He placed the weapon against the head of a terrified stewardess and issued his demands. The flight was to be diverted to Ireland, and he was to receive a ransom of $50,000. His actions sent shockwaves through the cabin as passengers and crew were suddenly thrust into a life-or-death situation.

Cini’s plan, however, was thwarted by the quick thinking and bravery of the flight crew. Recognizing the immediate danger, the crew managed to overpower Cini in a daring confrontation that ultimately saved the lives of everyone on board. The hijacker’s attempt to gain control of the aircraft ended in failure, but the incident highlighted the courage required to confront such threats. Following his arrest, Cini was charged with multiple crimes, including extortion and illegal possession of weapons, leading to a sentence of four life terms in prison.^[8]

2 Melvin Martin Fisher: The Short-Lived Hijack

Melvin Martin Fisher’s attempt to hijack a plane on September 5, 1972, is often remembered for its unusual and ultimately anticlimactic conclusion. Unlike many other hijackers, Fisher’s demands were extensive and ambitious: he wanted $550,000 in cash and a parachute, signaling his intention to make a dramatic escape. Over the course of the flight, he issued a series of erratic orders to the pilot, directing the plane from one location to another as he tried to maintain control of the situation.

However, Fisher’s resolve began to wane as the reality of his predicament set in. The fear of inevitable capture, combined with the pressure of his escalating demands, led him to an unexpected decision—surrender. Fisher’s hijacking, which could have ended in tragedy, was instead abruptly cut short when he handed himself over to the authorities. In a moment of emotional vulnerability, Fisher even wept as he recounted his actions, a stark contrast to the cold determination often seen in hijackers. His case, sometimes referred to as the “Shorter Hijacking,” remains an example of how the psychological strain of such crimes can lead to sudden and surprising outcomes.^[9]

1 Robb Heady: A Veteran’s Tragic Turn

Robb Heady’s hijacking of a plane on July 31, 1972, is a story filled with irony and tragedy. Heady, a Vietnam War veteran and experienced parachutist, carried out his hijacking with a level of expertise that reflected his military background. He boarded the plane as passengers were deplaning, wearing a pillowcase with eye slits over his head. He had a .357 revolver in one hand and a brown bag containing a parachute in his other.

He demanded $200,000 in ransom money. Because the hijacking occurred at night, FBI agents had to get the cash from two Reno casinos. Heady had to wait to transfer to another 727 as the one he boarded had one engine disabled. He became impatient and, at one point, fired a shot near a flight attendant.

Once airborne, he parachuted over Washoe Lake, about 20 miles (32 km) south of Reno. He was captured about five hours later. He had left $40,000 on the plane, presumably because he could not carry all of it. He lost his grip on the money bag when he pulled the ripcord, and it was recovered by FBI agents two days later. Heady was sentenced to serve 30 years.^[10]