Latest Hi-jack of an helicopter?

[Delta Julliet Golf]

Hi,

doing some research. Can anyone tell when the latest Hi-jack of an helicopter was?

Can anyone tell me if a helicopter has been hi-jacked in the offshore scene?

Help will be much appreciated!

DJG

[Tony Chambers]

never heard of such an hijacking. But why do you want to know? Are you considering hijacking 1 yourself?

[raven2]

DJG,

There was a helicopter hijacked many years ago in Ireland. A gentleman chartered a helicopter in Dublin for a sightseeing tour. During the flight he produced a gun and told the pilot to fly to portlaoise prison where two IRA prisoners were awaiting pick up!

The escape was a sucess and no injuries to anybody. I think it was one of the pilots first jobs in Ireland.

Raven2.

[RotorPilot]

Oh men. Hijacked helis ? Too many to make a list. Some examples


A decade or so ago, same thing in France to pick-up a high profile criminal from a prison near Paris.

Don't recall the outcome.

But there are many in France:

Hijacked Helicopter in new French jailbreak

Helicopter escape from French prison

Paris helicopter jailbreak fails

Another escape from French jail

Puerto Rico, same stuff

Five escape Puerto Rico prison in hijacked helicopter

Brasil, same stuff

Helicopter escape from Brazil prison

Australia, same stuff

Love conquers all in chopper escape

Dudko gets 10 years for daring helicopter jailbreak of lover

Nigeria, same stuff

[a] Texaco helicopter hijacked

On Wednesday, November 11, 1998, armed Ijaw youths hijacked a helicopter belonging to the Texaco Overseas Petroleum Company Unlimited (TOPCON). The aircraft, with a crew of three, was carrying N8.5 million, [about $100,000] meant to pay the ransom for 8 kidnapped workers of the company. Among the kidnapped men are an American, a Briton and a South African.

The armed youth who also detained the crew ordered the pilot to change route from Warri to Bomadi, their operational base. This development comes in the heels of a similar kidnap operation last Sunday when 38 workers of Diamond "arrested" some foreign workers of TOPCON (TEXACO) and demanded N314, 000 each, as ransom. Neither Texaco nor the police would say how many workers were kidnapped but the police said they had arrested 28 of the kidnappers. [Source: P.M.News, Punch, and This Day]

Texaco helicopter hijacked

And in Latin America...

[Delta Julliet Golf]

Thanks people, keep 'em coming!

I'm doing the research because I am creating and soon will be instructing the security course regarding our operation (offshore and VIP) and am trying to figure out what kind of threats there are to an helicopter operator.

As a pilot you're being trained in flight safety, but not many think about flight security.

DJG

[the coyote]

There was one a few years ago in Sydney in a Bell 47. Started as a charter and then the passenger pulled a gun on the pilot for a prison breakout. I believe that the prison guards shot at the aircraft as it took off, and hit it. Surely the possibility of a hijack with an innocent pilot on board would occur to them or be in their training?

Thats how I remember it anyway.

[SASless]

Bristow has had several hijackings in Nigeria...not just the Texaco deal....two crews spent about three weeks each as a guest of the locals before being released.

The best story is when a local type attempted to hijack a 355...to find himself on the skids at several thousand feet up enroute to the platform....as I understand the account he was chilled by the ride and offered only thanks for the ride....

Ah....life in the fast lane!

[GLSNightPilot]

I don't particularly worry about security. Some guy points a gun at me, and the helicopter is his, no questions asked. I didn't pay for the thing, and I'll be damned if I'll die trying to be a hero and save a piece of machinery. They don't let me carry a gun, so why should I try to confront one? And there is absolutely nothing to prevent an armed individual or group from coming into our facilities at any time they like.

Some things you just have to live with and not spend time worrying about. I could die in a wreck on the highway, or any of a thousand ways at any time. What, me worry?

[BlenderPilot]

This one was lots of fun!

Mexican Style Crime

[Time Out]

I am creating and soon will be instructing the security course regarding our operation (offshore and VIP)

Tell us more DJG. Who do you work for - or more particularly, who's funding the research? What level of research? Is your course to be for your own company's pilots only? Who will see the data you collect, etc.

There are people around who have been there and can tell you the realities, but they would probably want to know a bit more about who is asking and what will be done with the data before they delve too deeply into what are likely to be memories of a difficult time.

No one wants pilots in risky circumstances getting paranoid about their security, but being aware of risks is important.

Also a good idea to squash the myths held by the ill informed, such as the notion that hijacking can be avoided by handing over the helicopter just because someone points a gun, or explaining potential problems to a supposedly rational hijacker.

[Delta Julliet Golf]

Time out,

nothing fancy. My company is based in Holland and recently bought by "the big one". The course is a mere requirement in our country to be implemented by every airline over time (will take a lot just to figure out what they want!). Research is only basic, just trying to get some cases together.

It's more a course that's required by (a new) law to enhance the awareness. It will be a total in-house program.

DJG

[TomBola]

DGJ
As SASless says, there have been quite a few in Nigeria, mostly of Bristow helicopters, but also at least one of an ACN helicopter, plus numerous failed attempts. Things have quietened down now because the situation has changed there a bit and the helicopters also changed their operating practices to lessen the chances of a hijack.
From what you say, it seems you work for Schreiner, so suggest you ask some of your company colleagues in Aero Contractors.

[Delta Julliet Golf]

That a good tip! Thanks!


DJG

[Hedski]

There was one in Ireland in the mid 70's where a man pulled a gun on the pilot of a Bo105 in flight and got him to land where a bomb in a milk churn was loaded and then flown across the border between Donegal and Derry (Republic and Northern Ireland respectively). Then the bomb was dropped on Lifford RUC station. Don't think it really worked and the helicopter landed nearby.

[RotorPilot]

Hi the coyote

There was one a few years ago in Sydney in a Bell 47.

That one is the one described in my post under Australia

For what I see we have has main reasons:

• People that want out of prison at all costs;
• Political motivated and paramilitary operations related;
• Taking of hostages to obtain bargaining power.