At 01:30am on Halloween night, Raffaele Minichiello, dressed in camouflage, stepped on to the plane, a $15.50 ticket from Los Angeles to San Francisco in his hand.
This was the last stop on Trans World Airlines flight 85's journey across the US, which had started several hours earlier in Baltimore before landing at St Louis and then Kansas City.
At 01:30 on Friday, 31 October 1969, TWA flight 85 left Los Angeles for San Francisco. Fifteen minutes into the flight, the hijacking began.
I'm John Dodson and come with me on this story of the world's longest hijacking.
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From murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...
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08/26/21 • 53 min
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The Secret Sits - The Hijacking of Flight TWA85
Transcript Summary
In this gripping episode titled "The Hijacking of Flight TWA85," we delve into the shocking true story of Raffaele Minichiello, a mentally ill man who hijacked a Trans World Airlines flight from Italy to the US in 1969. The podcast explores the events leading up to the hijacking, including Minichiello's personal struggles, such as losing everything in an earthquake and facing psychological trauma from the Vietnam War. As the flight attendants and passengers grappled with fear and uncertainty, the hijacker's demands took them on a suspenseful journey that involved stops at various airports for refueling, negotiations with the crew, and a tense encounter with the FBI upon landing. With historical context, we learn about the prevalence of hijackings to Cuba during that time and the lax airport security measures in place. This captivating episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of a singular hijacking event that reflects the era's social and political climate.
Transcript
Set just beneath the rolling hills in southern Italy, and just north-east of Naples, a set of tectonic plates converged and the earth began to shake. The people who lived here, which is one of the most earthquake-prone places in Europe, had grown accustom to this. The 6.1-magnitude quake in the early evening was enough to frighten everyone, but it was the two powerful aftershocks that did the most damage.
The Minichiello family lived twenty kilometers up from the epicenter and a few hund
The Hijacking of Flight TWA85 Top Questions Answered
What happened in the hijacking incident on Trans World Airlines flight 85 in 1969?
Trans World Airlines flight 85 was hijacked in 1969 by Raffaele Minichiello, who boarded the flight with a loaded rifle.
Who noticed the rifle on TWA flight 85?
Flight attendant Charlene Delmonico noticed the rifle and alerted her colleagues.
What destination did the hijacker demand to be taken to on TWA flight 85?
The hijacker demanded to be taken to New York and had the crew turn the plane towards that direction.
What were the motivations behind the hijacking of TWA flight 85?
Raffaele Minichiello hijacked the plane in 1969 due to a combination of PTSD from the Vietnam War and feeling cheated out of money he needed to visit his dying father.
How long did the hijacking of TWA flight 85 last?
The hijacking incident lasted for several hours before peacefully ending.
Where was Raffaele Minichiello regarded as a folk hero?
Raffaele Minichiello was regarded as a folk hero in Italy.
Where did Raffaele Minichiello settle after his release from prison?
After his release, Raffaele Minichiello settled in Rome, Italy, and worked as a bartender.
Who did Raffaele Minichiello meet in 2009 to apologize for his actions?
Raffaele Minichiello met flight attendant Charlene Delmonico and another crew member in 2009 to apologize for his actions.
What measures were taken to prevent hijackings to Cuba?
Measures such as providing maps and guides for airline captains were implemented to prevent hijackings to Cuba.
How did Raffaele Minichiello manage to bring a rifle onto TWA flight 85 without detection?
Raffaele Minichiello disassembled and carried a rifle onto TWA flight 85 without detection due to the lack of airport security during that time.
What were the difficulties faced by the crew of TWA flight 85 during the hijacking?
The crew of TWA flight 85 received mixed messages about their destination from the hijacker, causing difficulties related to fuel limitations and lack of international flying qualification.
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