Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Understanding And Surviving An Aircraft Hijack, Brian Kingshott

Brian F. Kingshott

Although aircraft hijacking (air piracy) incidents have decreased since the 1970s and 80s, the possibility of an incident occurring remains a threat that should not be ignored. In this paper, discussion will focus on a terrorist incident occurring whereby armed personnel seize an aircraft in flight and hold all passengers and crew as hostages. The common factors associated with acts of air piracy include, but are not limited to, high state of fear, apprehension, indecisiveness, as well as physical and psychological trauma. By knowing the possible actions, or reactions, of all involved will allow individuals to deal with this trauma.