Aircraft Hijackings and Anti-Hijack Measures History

Study Notes

Combating Aircraft Hijackings: Anti-Hijack Measures and Their Evolution

Aircraft hijackings have a long and complex history, dating back to the 1930s and reaching a peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The U.S. government's response to this wave of hijackings led to the establishment of the first anti-hijacking security protocols, laying the foundation for today's airport security measures.

D.B. Cooper and the Birth of Modern Security

The infamous D.B. Cooper hijacking in 1971 was a pivotal event that spurred the adoption of new security measures. Congressional court cases, such as United States v. Epperson (1972), provided a legal groundwork for the government to mandate security measures.

Anti-Hijack Systems and Preventative Measures

Beginning in the 1970s, anti-hijack systems were developed to deter motivated hijackers. These systems include:

Lockout systems: Activated when the vehicle's ignition is turned on and require the driver to perform a specific action, such as flicking a hidden switch, to prevent the vehicle from being stolen.
Transponder systems: Use a device that must be carried by the driver, such as an RFID transponder, so that the vehicle can be disabled if the driver leaves the vehicle's vicinity.
Microswitch systems: Always armed and activated if a door is opened and closed again, giving the driver a set time to disarm the system.

These systems help prevent hijackings by ensuring a vehicle cannot be easily hotwired or driven away.

The Evolution of Security Measures

Following the hijackings in the 1960s and 1970s, security measures have evolved and been adapted to address new threats. In 1979, the U.S. government introduced the Cooper vane, a device that prevented aft stairwells from being opened during flight, making it impossible for hijackers to exit the aircraft.

In today's aviation industry, security measures are increasingly focused on passenger and baggage screening, passenger vetting, and airport access control. These measures aim to prevent unauthorized access to aircraft and detect potential threats before they reach the aircraft.

Anti-Hijack Measures and Aircraft Taxiing

The protocols mentioned above aim to ensure that aircraft do not taxi without the approval of Air Traffic Control (ATCT). If an aircraft is observed taxiing without ATCT approval, a response to activate anti-hijack measures may include:

Immediate grounding of the aircraft for further investigation.
Deployment of security personnel to the aircraft to monitor the situation.
Communication with air traffic control to determine the legitimacy of the movement.

These measures aim to prevent unauthorized access to the aircraft during taxiing, thus minimizing the risk of hijackings.

Description

Explore the history of aircraft hijackings, from the 1930s to present day, and the evolution of anti-hijack security measures. Learn about pivotal events like the D.B. Cooper hijacking, the development of anti-hijack systems, and the modern security protocols aimed at preventing unauthorized access to aircraft.