In response to the hijacking incident on April seventeenth, Tropic Air has introduced new security protocols across all its domestic stations to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers, crew, and the communities it serves. Passengers will now undergo mandatory security screening and physical searches. Before boarding any Tropic Air domestic flight, all passengers and their personal items will be thoroughly checked. This includes both over-the-counter check-in and gate-check options, which are available at no extra cost. Additionally, passengers and their belongings may be subject to physical searches. While children are generally exempt from these searches, they must still declare themselves by emptying their pockets and lifting garments to reveal the waist area if there is suspicion of carrying prohibited items. Tropic Air assures that it is committed to continuously evaluating and improving its security procedures to maintain the highest standards of safety and service.
Today, the Belize Ministry of Civil Aviation held a press conference to address the Holy Saturday Tropic Air hijacking, two weeks after the tragic incident. When asked why they chose to hold the press conference now, Ministry CEO Narda Garcia explained that they wanted to ensure a thorough investigation was conducted and all facts were gathered before speaking publicly. The press conference lasted about an hour and a half and included representatives from the Joint Intelligence Operation Center, the Belize Defense Force, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. One of the main topics discussed was the increased security measures at domestic aerodromes. Nigel Carter, the Director of Aviation, provided insights into what these new measures will look like for passengers moving forward.
Nigel Carter
Nigel Carter, Director of Civil Aviation
“The Government of Belize deployed police officers to all aerodromes. The CEO in the ministry consulted with the domestic airlines and we asked or required them to put in place basic security measures, passenger screening, bag screening and so forth. That to date is still currently ongoing. I would be remiss if I don’t highlight the fact that we have previously worked with the Belize Airport Authority in so far as strengthening airport security. They have currently engaged a private security company with the intent of this company providing aviation security at the different aerodromes where commercial air services occur. I can say that the employees of this security company are currently being trained. We have clearly defined prohibited items, items that cant go on an aircraft and we plan to conduct a public awareness campaign to ensure that the general public is a ware of what they can and cannot go on an aircraft. Firearms can’t go on an aircraft. You must declare it steps are taken to ensure that aircraft is not in the cabin. Something as simple as a lighter is not allowed to be taken on an aircraft. We will improve the process of interviewing passengers, so asking them questions, sir madam is there any time you are taking on board that should be prohibited, small interviews to make sure that they are ware they should not be taking any item on the aircraft.”
We also heard from Stanley Gideon, the Deputy Director of Civil Aviation, who was inside the air traffic control tower as the hijacking unfolded. He noted that the tower detected the emergency at 8:17 that morning and immediately sprang into action. We’ve reported that the pilot, Howell Grange, had to deceive the hijacker into thinking they were flying to the U.S. As remarkable as that story is, it wouldn’t have been possible without the expertise and calmness displayed by the air traffic controllers. Gideon shared his perspective on the situation.
Stanley Gideon
Stanley Gideon, Deputy Director of Civil Aviation
“This entire event continued to unfold and between eight seventeen and eight thirty-seven form the aircraft saying he had been hijacked and who was onboard and wanted to go to the United States, we coordinated with an aircraft in the vicinity to check with the aircraft that had the emergency and they confirmed there was a hijacking in progress. In the split moment, the pilot had the ability to speak in Spanish, because the hijacker obviously English speaking. This is where the ruse started. He asked them to please speak in Spanish. He told them to pretend that he was going through Mexico airspace on his way to the United States. And, when he got closer and the ruse is, that when they had transversed Mexican airspace to have an American voice come on. This went without a hitch. The amazing part is that ATC picked up on the pilot’s ruse and for the next hour and a half in the airspace, this aircraft, never left Belizean airspace. The pilot flew in a way to confuse the hijacker. But this was a skillful ruse between the air traffic controllers and the pilot to put this entire flight in different regions, but it stayed over Belize. That coordination cannot be matched at any level, how the pilot and the ATC worked to pull off this ruse.”
Director Carter mentioned that a contract is being finalized with a private security company to enhance the security of Belize’s airspace. While the name of the company wasn’t disclosed, it’s been confirmed that personnel are currently undergoing training. Starting next week, the police officers currently stationed at domestic aerodromes will be replaced by the security company. So, who will cover the costs for this new measure? The Belize Airport Authority will fund the first year. After that, airplane passengers can expect a slight increase in the cost of domestic travel.
Narda Garcia
Narda Garcia, C.E.O., Ministry of Civil Aviation
“This morning in discussions with the airlines we were talking about that. What I do know from the meetings I went to the BAA, talking conceptually about the whole issue of security services, BAA indicated that they can absorb the cost for one year, but after that they would have to levy a fee for security services. If you look at the changes at the PGIA there is a fee for security services that is paid by the traveler or the people. We will have to look at where to pay that. We will either have to do that. I don’t know where we will do that, either pay it separately or on the ticket of the passengers.”
Paul Lopez
“So, it signals a potential increase in air travel cost domestically?”
Narda Garcia
“Yes, definitely.”
Paul Lopez
“Is there any considerations being given have terminal that are completely ran and managed by government while entering into contracts with airlines to use these facility. Is that a countermeasure being considered for the medium or long term?”
Nigel Carter, Director, Department of Civil Aviation
“I did mention that this is part of the mid-to-long solution. We have to have single terminals where airlines are tenants as opposed to owning the terminal building.
With a singular terminal building, you have single apparatus for improved passenger flows and security as well.”
Narda Garcia
“Last year we entered into an agreement with IDB to do a full fledged masterplan for airport aerodromes. So the issue of security and infrastructure will be addressed through that masterplan for the local aerodromes.”
The Ministry of Civil Aviation’s media briefing comes after U.D.P. Queen Square Area Representative, Godwin Haylock, criticized the Briceño administration for not holding a press conference on the national emergency sooner. Although the announcement of the conference came just hours after Haylock’s comments, he argued that the government should have addressed the public in real time. Here’s what Haylock had to say.
Godwin Haylock
Godwin Haylock, Area Representative, Queen Square
“Today I must speak on the fact that the entire nation is still waiting for an official government press conference on the hijacking of the tropic airplane on April 17th. This press conference was to be held in real time immediately after the incident, yet the government to date has refused to hold a real press conference. I beg the question why, and the only answer I can come up with is since winning March 12th, the government is overconfident, they feel that it will pass over like a breeze. Now we all know that the PM is the minister responsible for the Civil Aviation, however we have been reliably informed that he was out of the country seeking medical attention so we would have expected that the Department of Civil Aviation or the Belize Airports Authority would take the lead on this matter.”
One week ago, a hijacking shook the skies over Belize, forever altering domestic air travel rules. As we await the official updates, let’s dive back into that harrowing day. Captain Howell Grange and his fifteen passengers faced potential disaster, but thanks to the pilot’s grit, focus, and quick thinking, tragedy was averted. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with a gripping, play-by-play of the events that unfolded mid-air.
Marion Ali, Reporting
One week ago, a routine flight from Ranchito to San Pedro turned into a nightmare for fifteen passengers. Captain Howell Grange, with his thirteen years of flying experience, had to muster every bit of his skill to safely land the plane amidst chaos in the sky. Thanks to his expertise and the help of passenger Armin Burgos, disaster was averted. Today, we bring you a simulation of how the flight began and the dramatic turn of events that followed. This image captures the seating arrangements on the aircraft before the hijacker took control. To the right of the pilot sat his co-worker’s son, with the co-worker directly behind him. On the right side, one of the stabbing victims was seated next to the hijacker, who was by the window. For Captain Grange, it’s standard practice for co-workers to sit behind the pilot. Armin Burgos was seated near the rear of the aircraft.
Howell Grange
Howell Grange, Pilot, Tropic Air
“I waited till everyone boarded the plane and I had a coworker’s son sitting right beside me, and then Mr. Francesco, whenever he flies daily – not daily, Monday to Friday, he works with us, he’s our HR manager – so he sits directly behind, and then you had Mr. Brown, right beside Mr. Francesco. Then you had the other guy who was the…”
Marion Ali
“Who, Mr Taylor?”
Howell Grange
“Yeah. Mr. Taylor, the hijacker.”
Just two minutes into the flight, forty-nine-year-old Akinyela Taylor sprang his hijacking plan into action, making it clear he meant business. Among the passengers that day was Armin Burgos, who witnessed the unfolding drama firsthand.
Armin Burgos
Armin Burgos, Passenger
“Like two, three minutes after when we were in the air, they, I heard a lady shouting, stop it, stop it, stop it. So I thought they were fighting. I didn’t. Thinknothing. I didn’t feel no way and then I saw the pilot, they’d like to turn back and then he told the pilot, you’re not landing, you’re not turning back. And he said, he, then I got, I saw the guy, he said, everybody go to the back.”
Captain Grange heard a scuffle and turned to see Castaneda and Brown bleeding heavily from stab wounds inflicted by Taylor. Thinking quickly, Grange decided to pretend to comply with Taylor’s demands. He contacted air traffic control, relaying the situation in Spanish, and kept the plane mostly over water at varying altitudes to confuse Taylor into believing they were heading to a U.S. airport. Meanwhile, Burgos tried to console a traumatized child onboard. Grange’s psychological tactics played a crucial role in managing the hijacker.
Armin Burgos
“I would applaud the pilot is that he like played a little psychology on him because he said, not only you are frustrated, I am, I’m tired of people telling me things, what to do and so on. And, you know, because he burst out there, but I couldn’t really hear everything. And, and so then he said, I’m the same thing too.”
Captain Grange kept the plane over Belize, and with fuel running low after nearly two hours in the air, he began to approach PGIA for landing. That’s when Taylor realized they were still in Belize, sparking a heated argument. As Grange prepared to land, Taylor attacked him, trying to stab him in the eye and hitting him on the temple. When Grange finally brought the plane down and shut off the engine, Taylor launched a vicious assault, aiming for veins and arteries. At that critical moment, Brown, who had a licensed gun, shot Taylor twice, killing him. Burgos, in shock, witnessed the dramatic end to the hijacking.
Armin Burgos
“ I stayed in shock. I couldn’t talk, tell I was, my breath was short. I was all what I could recall. I asked for my belt and the police brought my belt. When I saw the guy on the floor. I don’t know how he got out, who took him out or what.”
The wounds that Grange suffered kept him hospitalized until Wednesday, when he spoke with us.
Marion Ali
“Ready to fly again?
Howell Grange
“Recovery let’s recover first. I have a little trouble walking still.”
Marion Ali
“How do you condition your mind now after recovery?”
Howell Grange
“It is gonna take time, but you gotta fight fire with fire. You gotta go back, gotta go back to work.”
What will be going through Grange’s mind when he finally returns to work?
Howell Grange
“Well, all the aircraft are the same thing. All aircraft we have are the same. Same aircraft, same equipment, same, same. So I guess once you get the hump in one, then all of them will be the same thing. I have to put myself in that position to find out, and I’ll get back slow. It’s gonna take a little bit of time, but I’ll get back there. Something I love, something I fight to get there a long time. So I gotta, I gotta be back.”
The government has remained silent since the hijacking incident, but News Five has learned that changes to air traffic regulations began immediately. These changes were reportedly discussed during a National Security Council meeting on the same Thursday as the hijacking. Another meeting is scheduled for Monday, with recommendations set to be forwarded to the Cabinet, which will be convened on Tuesday. Reporting for News Five, I’m Marion Ali.
Less than a week ago, Captain Howell Grange found himself in a life-and-death situation straight out of a movie. On Holy Thursday morning, he boarded his Tropic Air flight in Ranchito for what should have been a routine twenty-minute trip to San Pedro. Instead, the flight turned into a horrific two-hour hijacking ordeal. Despite being badly wounded, Captain Grange managed to land the plane safely and live to tell the tale. This afternoon, Tropic Air issued a statement thanking the community for their support during this challenging time. Shortly after, Captain Grange was wheeled out of Belize Healthcare Partners Limited, greeted by applause from hospital staff, friends, and family. Before heading home, Captain Howell Grange made his first stop at the Divine Mercy Church, where he and his family attend mass every Sunday. He was there to give thanks for surviving the ordeal. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Howell Grange
Howell Grange, Pilot, Tropic Air
“When I found out I was going to be released, I told my wife I need to go to church before we get home. I think I owe everything right now to the good Lord. That’s why I’m here because right when the deal started, I prayed to him and asked him to fill me with the strength and the knowledge to get to that man’s head, so all we have a good outcome for the day.”
Holy Thursday turned out to be a good day for the passengers and Captain Grange, despite the critical injuries inflicted by hijacker Akinyela Taylor. Taylor took control of the aircraft soon after takeoff, Grange recounted, as he relived the harrowing experience.
Howell Grange
“I took off normal, crossing over Cerros, then I started to hear the commotion and that’s when I saw when Mr. Brown, he was already injured and Mr. Castaneda was already injured, so I started to turn back to Corozal. Then that’s when he said it was a hijacking and then he demanded the little boy to go to the back, everyone to the back, and everyone went to the back. And he started telling me I was going to take him to the United States. So, I said, okay, no problem. So, I told him which airport you want to go? So, I found my airport in the GPS, the G-1000 equipment we use, and I put it in and I move it from the map. So he was not seeing where I’m going.”
Seeing two passengers bleeding, Captain Grange knew the situation was dire. He contacted air traffic control in Spanish to alert them about the unfolding crisis. Then, he cleverly flew over water to confuse the hijacker.
Howell Grange
“I started to head over to the international airport, but I passed behind the international airport. I told him we’re heading into Mexican territory, and I had spoken to the controllers over the radio and asked them to speak in Spanish and they understood what I was trying to do. Then I went out at sea, came back, but different direction, not in the same route. So he doesn’t recognize any area.”
Marion Ali
“Yes, we saw the loops.”
Howell Grange
“Yeah, so I was mainly trying to fly over water. It’s hard to get orientated over water and I was changing altitude every minute just to change the direction, you know, try to head back closer to Belize and just try to stay over water as much as I could. I had asked them to please get someone that speaks proper American English, and they got someone and they were vectoring me to the final, and this was already like an hour and change into flight, so when I was landing, he thought he was landing in the US.”
But the hijacker soon realized that he was not in the US and that was when he also stabbed Grange.
Howell Grange
“He said he doesn’t recognize the airport for me to go around. So, I went back out and that’s when we started to argue in the airplane, me and him. And he told me, if you’re not gonna take me to the airport, then we all gonna die here today.”
Marion Ali
“What airport was that?”
Howell Grange
“I don’t remember the name, it was one in the U.S, somewhere in Missouri, Mississippi, or something like that. I don’t really recall, but I started heading back. Well, I started to argue with him because I wanted to distract him from seeing me getting closer to the airport. At the same time I was descending that time. I only had about 10 minutes more of fuel, and I decided to land. When he realized it was not where he wanted to be, then the whole scuffle start inside the airplane.”
Marion Ali
“That’s when he stabbed you?”
Howell Grange
“Yeah, he stabbed me, yeah.”
After Taylor stabbed him, Captain Grange cut off the plane’s engine and they began to fight inside the aircraft. Taylor inflicted ten stab wounds on Grange, including one behind his ear that cut through his tongue and another serious wound to his right hand. Suddenly, two gunshots rang out.
Howell Grange
“He hit me in my chin here. He was a pretty skillful guy with the knife, pretty skillful guy with the knife. He tried to hit my temple, but I had my shades on and this was the biggest one. I was trying to hold his hand and then he just grabbed the knife and sliced it open.”
Grange is at home recovering now, something he said was first on his mind.
Marion Ali
“What was going through your mind?”
Howell Grange
“Getting home to my family, getting home to my family, that was playing through my mind. That’s all I wanted.”
Captain Grange endured ten stab wounds, each narrowly missing vital vessels that could have been fatal. He now looks forward to a full recovery and hopes to return to the pilot’s seat one day. Marion Ali for News Five.
Thursday’s terrifying hijacking concluded when the plane finally landed at the Philip Goldson International Airport after spending two hours in the air. Upon landing, chaos erupted on the runway as medical personnel and police rushed to the aircraft. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, explains how the team was able to handle the situation without disrupting the scheduled traffic at the airport.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“For me my objective was to make sure that we clear the runway as quickly as possible so as not to hinder any of the international flights that were scheduled to arrive on that day. And so after the plane landed, considering that the runway was not the crime scene, but whether the plane was the crime scene. I had directed the plane to remove from the runway and taken to the you call it apron, whatever that part of the airport is for it to be processed by scenes of crime. And so within half an hour time, the runway was clear. And I don’t think that any of the international flights had any delay in landing. I think they all arrived on time and they landed well and took off well. So I believe, again, our efforts in terms of coordinating that was extremely good. Civil Aviation was on the ball as well as Airport Authority in making sure that the runway was not only cleared, but after the runway has been cleared. I think there is some physical checks that need to be made on the runway to make sure that it is safe for landing. That was also done so that the aircraft that were supposed to come in on that day could have been notified that there was no delay in them coming into the country.”
Reporter
“So what happens to the plan now? Is that tendered into evidence?”
Chester Williams
“We don’t need to hold a plan pending the outcome of any court case in this case. I don’t think that there’s going to be a court case, but what would’ve been done should there be one? For example, if Mr. Taylor was alive and would be prosecuted. Through the DPP office, a letter could have been issued to properly process and photograph the aircraft, and that would’ve been done in presence of a JP or a magistrate. And with that then the plane could have been returned to Tropic Air for normal operations while the case is still pending.”
Details are still unfolding about Akinyela Taylor’s hijacking of the Tropic Air flight. Police report that Taylor was kicked out of PGIA for trying to board a flight without a ticket and was later denied entry to both Mexico and Belize. Commissioner Chester Williams says it’s still a mystery why Taylor came to Belize and what drove him to commit the crime.
Reporter
“In terms of the department investigation, has anything been uncover about why Mr. Taylor was here? If he had any contacts here what he had been doing before Thursday’s incident?”
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We don’t have any information in terms of why he was here other than the fact that he might have been a tourist. In terms of contacts, I’ve seen some video footage that showed him in certain areas. People questioned him about what he was doing. And he said he was a normal backpacker moving around. So we do not per se, stop people from coming into the country if they’re coming as tourists.”
Reporter
“And then last thing in terms, I think there have been some that have been open about calling this a terrorist incident. I don’t think terrorism in the normal definition is what happened here, but would you be able to clarify that aspect?”
Chester Williams
“Under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Act, it would not meet the threshold of an act of terror. So should he have survived this this ordeal, he would’ve been charged perhaps for kidnapping, attempt murder along those lines, but not for terrorism.”
Tonight, we hear from Armin Burgos, a primary school teacher from Libertad Village, who was one of the passengers on Thursday’s hijacked Tropic Air flight to San Pedro. Burgos had booked the flight to handle some personal matters, but shortly after takeoff, he and the other thirteen passengers found themselves in a terrifying situation. Forty-nine-year-old U.S. national Akinyela Taylor hijacked the plane at knifepoint, demanding the pilot change course to the U.S. Among the passengers was an infant, who happened to be one of Burgos’ former students. Burgos told us that his main priority during the ordeal was to protect the child. He also shared details about what happened during the flight and the moment a passenger shot Taylor when the plane landed at Philip Goldson International Airport. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
When forty-nine-year-old U.S. national Akinyela Taylor hijacked a Tropic Air flight on Thursday morning, just after it took off from Ranchito Airstrip in Corozal, primary school teacher Armin Burgos was among the passengers.
Armin Burgos
Armin Burgos, Passenger on Hijacked Plane
“A little bit after eight ten, it was boarding time, so we went. And the guy from Tropic told me to go to the front and I said I wanted to jump out first, so I sat on the last single seat to the back. I saw Mr. Brown, going to the front, where I was suppose to be seated. I felt a little bad, because he was an older guy. He went and sit right beside the guy that hijacked the plane.”
Taylor was seated in the first row on a double seat next to Fitzgerald Brown, while Franchesco Castaneda was on a single seat beside them. According to the flight manifest, the plane was supposed to reach the island twenty minutes after takeoff. Burgos recalls that just two minutes into the flight, he heard a commotion at the front of the aircraft and saw Taylor stabbing Castaneda.
Armin Burgos
“So I tried to call police, but I called 911 and no answer. So I called one of my cousin and I told him that they are having stabbing on the plane. Then he said, you don’t want me in your eff country, you will take me back to the U.S. then things got serious. He told me don’t turn back, just go. After everything I reached to a conclusion that he thought that Mr. Casteneda was an air marshal. That is why. At no time did he want to attack any of the passengers, only he was attacked. During the attack, Mr. Brown was trying to stop him and hold him, because Mr. Brown was between the two of them. I believe he (Castaneda) did not get stabbed completely. I believe that if Mr. Brown was not there to help, he would have been dead.”
According to Burgos, Taylor ordered all fourteen passengers to move to the back of the plane, and everyone complied. Burgos realized the plane was being hijacked when Taylor demanded the pilot change course to the U.S. Burgos tried to contact authorities on the ground using his cellphone but stopped communicating after receiving a request he felt he couldn’t fulfill.
Armin Burgos
“He asked me if I would give the guy my phone, if he would be able to talk. I said, if he is not fooling with me why would I go and fool around with him. I cut all communication. I didn’t even answer anymore communication with the police. I said, they cant help me at this moment. So, I began thinking about what I was going to do. Nobody was talking.”
Burgos says that while the passengers were huddled at the back of the plane, Taylor and the pilot, Howell Grange, were constantly talking. An American passenger took off his shirt to help Castaneda with his wounds and used his belt to wrap Brown’s injury. The flight remained in the air for nearly two hours.
Armin Burgos
“During that time, after some time circling, the pilot said, prepare we are going to the U.S.”
Paul Lopez
“What did you think at that point?”
Armin Burgos
“I said, it would be worse, because they will shoot us down.”
And then, Burgos began formulating a plan for himself and the other passengers to launch a defense in the event Taylor turned his focus towards them.
Armin Burgos
“When the guy took off his belt to help Mr. Brown, I took off mine and said I am going to choke him if he comes around. I told everyone in the back to grab your bag and try to protect yourself. I took the first aid kit and there was an ex BDF in there and I said, he should be strong, so I gave him the first aid kit, because it was out of metal.”
Paul Lopez
“How would you describe Mr. Taylor’s demeanor throughout the entire ordeal?”
Armin Burgos
“He was mad, he was really mad and angry and serious. But at no time he looked at us and said nothing. I knew he did not want us to get hurt. He told the pilot I want them to land safe.”
Fuel depletion was a major worry for everyone on board and the authorities on the ground. Burgos started coaching the infant on what to do if the plane crash landed in water. Everyone was bracing for the worst. Burgos also saw Fitzgerald Brown place a firearm in one of the chair’s back pockets while the plane was still in the air. After some time, the plane landed at Philip Goldson International Airport. That’s when Taylor stabbed the pilot, and Brown shot Taylor.
Armin Burgos
“I saw Mr. Brown got up. I didn’t see how he grabbed the gun and a huge tall white guy was there and I saw him leaned over the chair and grabbed him and that is when the shot went off and he shouted for somebody to come and help. I went with my belt and tried to tie his hand. I only tied one. Mister Brown and the white guy was holding him. He was already shot but still moving. I saw he stabbed Mr. Brown once more. So I said, somebody stop the plane, it was rolling. Everybody was trying to jump out and the BDF guy just threw himself in between the pilot and all of us, Mr. Brown, the white guy and Mr. Taylor. And he stopped the plane.”
Taylor died shortly after the incident. Injured passengers were taken for medical treatment. Burgos shared that he spoke with a therapist over the weekend due to experiencing anxiety attacks following the hijacking.
Armin Burgos
“Immediately after that I stayed in shock. I could not talk. My breath was short. All I could recall, I asked for my belt and the police brought my belt. I thought I could get through it by myself, but I seek help. A counselor offered her service and I didn’t think I needed it. Knowing myself I didn’t think I need it, but after getting help it helped me a lot.”
