An armed passenger saves the day after a U.S. veteran attempts to hijack a small Caribbean flight, leading to a two-hour ordeal that ended in a deadly confrontation on the tarmac.
Quick Takes
- U.S. veteran Akinyela Taylor attempted to hijack a 14-seat Tropic Air flight in Belize, demanding to be flown to Texas.
- Taylor stabbed both the pilot, Howell Grange, and passenger Fitzgerald Brown with a five-inch dagger during the attack.
- Brown, a businessman licensed to carry a firearm, shot and neutralized the hijacker as the plane was making an emergency landing.
- The incident has raised serious questions about security at small Belizean airports, which lack baggage checks and X-ray machines.
- The pilot maintained control of the aircraft for nearly two hours despite being stabbed, ultimately landing safely in Belize City.
Terrifying Mid-Air Attack
A routine flight from Corozal Municipal Airport to the tourist destination of Ambergris Caye in Belize turned into a nightmare when U.S. veteran Akinyela Taylor attempted to hijack the aircraft. Armed with a five-inch dagger, Taylor demanded that the 14-seat Cessna Grand Caravan be redirected to Texas. The sudden attack created chaos onboard the Tropic Air flight, which was carrying fourteen passengers and two crew members. As Taylor made his demands, he began threatening passengers and eventually escalated to physical violence, stabbing both a passenger and the pilot in his attempt to gain control of the aircraft.
The moment quickly became a life-or-death situation as Taylor stabbed passenger Fitzgerald Brown and pilot Howell Grange. Despite suffering serious knife wounds, Grange remarkably maintained control of the aircraft. The plane circled in the air for nearly two hours as the wounded pilot struggled against both his injuries and the hijacker’s continued attempts to seize control of the flight controls. Passengers onboard described scenes of absolute terror as blood spilled in the tight confines of the small aircraft.
US man hijacks plane in Belize, goes on stabbing spree and gets shot by brave passenger mid-air. Despite critical injuries, the passenger managed to take down the attacker.
(Picture/Video courtesy : X)#UnitedState #USA #Hijacking pic.twitter.com/GhybnoNoLu— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) April 18, 2025
Armed Passenger’s Heroic Intervention
As the situation grew increasingly desperate, businessman Fitzgerald Brown, though seriously wounded himself, made a decision that likely saved everyone on board. Brown, who was licensed to carry a firearm, drew his weapon and shot Taylor as the plane was preparing for an emergency landing. According to witnesses, Brown showed remarkable restraint despite his own injuries, waiting until the aircraft was nearly on the ground before using his weapon to neutralize the threat, preventing what could have been a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
The pilot, despite suffering from knife wounds, executed an emergency landing in Belize City as the aircraft was running low on fuel. When the plane finally touched down, Taylor was found bleeding on the tarmac and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Brown, who had been critically injured during the attack, remained in serious condition but is expected to recover. His quick thinking and brave actions have been credited with preventing what could have been a much larger tragedy.
Pilot’s Extraordinary Courage
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this incident was pilot Howell Grange’s ability to maintain control of the aircraft while being actively attacked. For nearly two hours, Grange battled both his own injuries and the hijacker’s attempts to take over the plane. His exceptional skill and composure under extreme pressure allowed him to safely land the aircraft despite the chaotic and violent situation unfolding in the cockpit.
The incident has sparked serious concerns about security measures at smaller airports in Belize. According to sources familiar with the airport in Corozal, there are no baggage checks or X-ray machines in operation, allowing the hijacker to board with a weapon. While the Belizean government described the hijacking as “unexpected and deeply troubling,” they defended their airspace security protocols. A formal investigation into the incident is now underway, with U.S. officials expressing relief that the hijacking did not result in mass casualties.
Questions Surrounding the Hijacker
Little is known about Akinyela Taylor’s motives for the hijacking attempt. U.S. Embassy spokesperson Luke Martin acknowledged the uncertainty around Taylor’s intentions, stating, “We don’t know why he wanted to go back to the United States.” While Taylor has been identified as a U.S. veteran, his exact military status has not been confirmed by American officials. The hijacking has been described as “horrifying” by U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who expressed gratitude that more lives were not lost.
The heroic actions of both Fitzgerald Brown and pilot Howell Grange stand as a testament to extraordinary courage in the face of grave danger. Their quick thinking and selfless actions prevented what could have been a tragic ending to a routine Caribbean flight. As the injured recover and investigations continue, the focus remains on improving security at regional airports while honoring the bravery displayed during those terrifying two hours over Belize.
Sources:
American man hijacks plane headed to popular Belize tourist town
