A California man named Akinyela Sawa Taylor hijacked a Tropic Air flight in Belize with a knife, injuring several passengers before another traveler shot him. This incident has raised serious questions about airport security and Taylor’s motives as officials continue their investigation.
Taylor, 49, boarded the plane in Corozal, near the Mexican border, on Thursday morning. The flight had 14 passengers and two crew members and was headed to San Pedro, a popular tourist spot. Just before takeoff, Taylor pulled out a knife and demanded the pilot refuel the plane and fly out of the country. Passengers and crew panicked as the plane flew erratically above the Belize District, running low on fuel.
During the crisis, Taylor stabbed three people, including the pilot and two passengers, as he tried to take control of the flight. When the situation became critical, a passenger who was legally armed intervened. In the chaos, this passenger shot Taylor in the chest as the plane was about to land at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport near Belize City. Taylor was rushed to the hospital but died there. The injured passengers, including one with a punctured lung, were also hospitalized.
Authorities praised the pilot’s calmness and the quick actions of the armed passenger for preventing further harm. Passengers described scenes of fear and chaos, with some sending text messages to authorities during the flight to update them.
Investigators are looking into Taylor’s background to understand his motives. He was a U.S. military veteran and a former teacher who had worked at McCluer North High School in Missouri. Reports show that he had been denied entry into Belize days earlier, but it is unclear how he got back into the country and boarded the flight with a weapon. This event has highlighted security gaps at smaller airstrips in Belize, where screening for passengers is less strict.
The U.S. embassy in Belize is working with local authorities to investigate Taylor’s background and the reasons behind the hijacking. As Belize processes the shock of this event, officials are reviewing security procedures and offering support to the injured and their families.
This disturbing episode has shaken the Belizean aviation community and travelers, highlighting the unpredictability of in-flight emergencies and the need for awareness and preparedness.