Pilot of Hijacked Plane Speaks Out: “A Second Chance at Life”

Howell Grange, the pilot of the hijacked domestic Tropic Air plane on Thursday, April 17, issued a statement this morning expressing deep gratitude for a “second chance at life.”

On Thursday morning, 49-year-old U.S. military veteran Akinyela Sawa Taylor hijacked a Tropic Air Cessna Caravan aircraft, registered V3-HIG, at knifepoint. The flight was en route from Corozal to San Pedro and was carrying 14 passengers and two crew members.

Despite making a safe landing at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) after being hijacked in mid-flight, three passengers, including pilot Grange, were stabbed. Law enforcement, medical, and fire personnel were ready at PGIA when the plane landed. Fitzgerald Brown and Jair (Franchesco) Castañeda and pilot Grange were immediately given medical attention for their injuries. Images and videos from inside the plane show a severely injured Castañeda, while the other passengers huddled at the back of the plane.

A passenger on board the aircraft shot and killed Taylor moments after the plane landed at the PGIA.

In his statement on social media, Grange credited his survival to the quick response of authorities, his family’s support, and divine intervention, stating, “All your prayers, which I believe are the reason I’m still here today.”

Grange also commended Brown and Castañeda’s bravery during the ordeal and wished them a speedy recovery. He said, “To Mr Brown and Jair Castaneda, congratulations on your bravery. I am forever grateful for your help, and I wish you both a smooth and speedy recovery.”

Grange, who was hospitalised in critical condition over the long Easter weekend, remains getting treatment in Belize City. In a statement, he said, “I am able to stay positive and focus on healing from this incident. I thank the Good Lord for giving me a second chance at life, one that I will cherish even more deeply moving forward.”