Investigation Summary
The hijacking began approximately 20 minutes after the aircraft departed its stopover in Vienna. The hijackers, armed with handguns, grenades, and explosive belts, entered the cockpit and forced Captain Reginald Levy to continue to Lod Airport. Upon landing, the aircraft was directed to a remote area of the runway. The hijackers separated Jewish passengers from non-Jews, moving the former to the rear of the cabin. Captain Levy played a critical role in maintaining calm and providing intelligence; he managed to pass information to Israeli authorities about the hijackers' positions and the fact that they had not secured the emergency exits. During the standoff, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and Transport Minister Shimon Peres led negotiations to buy time. The rescue team, led by Ehud Barak and including Benjamin Netanyahu, approached the aircraft in white coveralls under the guise of a maintenance crew needed to repair the plane's hydraulic system (which the Israelis had sabotaged by deflating tires and draining fluids). The commandos entered through multiple points, including emergency exits and luggage hatches, neutralizing the threat within minutes.
Final Conclusions
The incident was concluded by a successful military intervention. The two male hijackers, Ali Taha Abu Snina and Abed al-Aziz Atrash, were killed during the raid. The two female hijackers, Rima Tannous and Theresa Halsa, were captured and sentenced to life imprisonment, though they were later released in prisoner exchanges in 1979 and 1983. One passenger, Miriam Anderson, died from her wounds. The aircraft itself remained in service with Sabena for five years before being sold to Israel Aircraft Industries and eventually serving as a signals intelligence aircraft for the Israeli Air Force.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Crew Experience
Captain
Reginald Levy, DFC. A veteran of the RAF and the Berlin Airlift.
Systems & Failure Modes
Emergency Exits
The hijackers failed to secure the emergency exits, which Captain Levy communicated to the IDF, allowing the commandos to surprise the terrorists.
Hydraulic System
Israeli forces disabled the aircraft's hydraulics to prevent takeoff and used the 'need for repair' as a ruse to approach the plane.
Interesting Facts
- 01The hijacking occurred on Captain Reginald Levy's 50th birthday; his wife was a passenger on the flight.
- 02Future Israeli Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and Benjamin Netanyahu were both members of the rescue team.
- 03Benjamin Netanyahu was wounded during the raid when a fellow commando's gun accidentally discharged.
- 04The hijackers were armed with two handguns, two hand grenades, and two explosive belts.
- 05The aircraft involved, OO-SJG, later served as a spy plane for the Israeli Air Force.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Enhanced Security Protocols
The incident contributed to the implementation of mandatory passenger and luggage screening, which became standard in many regions by 1973.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the wikidata coordinate.