David A. Burke
Aircraft Hijacking and Mass Murder
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Cayucos, California
TIME PERIOD
December 7, 1987
VICTIMS
43 confirmed
On December 7, 1987, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, a scheduled domestic flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, was hijacked by a passenger, David Burke, a disgruntled former employee of USAir. The aircraft, a British Aerospace 146-200A, crashed in San Luis Obispo County near Cayucos, California, resulting in the deaths of all 43 occupants, including Burke, who shot the flight crew and then crashed the plane. The motive for the hijacking was Burke's anger towards his former boss, Ray Thompson, who was also on board and was the first victim. This incident marked one of the deadliest mass murders in California's history, and there were no survivors. The case remains a significant example of aviation security failures and the tragic consequences of personal vendettas.
David Burke, the hijacker, is believed to have targeted the flight due to his grievances against his former employer, USAir, leading to speculation that his actions were motivated by revenge. Some theories suggest that Burke may have intended to crash the plane into a populated area, while others believe he simply wanted to cause chaos and destruction as part of his suicide mission. There is also speculation about whether he had any accomplices or if his actions were solely the result of his personal vendetta.
Tragedy in the Skies: The Hijacking of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771
The Fateful Flight
On December 7, 1987, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 became the stage for a harrowing act of vengeance that would end in tragedy. Departing from Los Angeles International Airport, the British Aerospace 146-200A, known as "The Smile of Stockton," was on a routine journey to San Francisco. On board were 43 souls, including passengers, crew, and one man who would forever alter its course—David Augustus Burke.
The Aircraft and Its Crew
The aircraft was powered by four Lycoming ALF502R-3 turbofan engines. At the helm were Captain Gregg Lindamood, a seasoned pilot with 11,000 flight hours, and First Officer James Howard Nunn, who boasted 12,000 hours of flight experience. The cabin crew consisted of Debbie Nissen Neil, Debra Watterson Vuylsteke, and Julie Gottesman, each having dedicated years to the airline.
A Disgruntled Employee
David Burke, originally from Croydon, London, had immigrated to the United States with his Jamaican parents. His career with USAir was marred by suspicion and controversy, notably for petty theft and alleged involvement in a drug-smuggling ring. Fired for stealing $70, Burke was desperate to reclaim his job. His pleas for reinstatement were rejected by his supervisor, Ray Thompson, who would become the first victim in Burke's final act of desperation.
The Incident Unfolds
Burke exploited his former USAir credentials to bypass security at LAX, carrying a borrowed Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver. He boarded Flight 1771, where he left a chilling note on an airsickness bag addressed to Thompson: "Hi Ray. I think it's sort of ironical that we end up like this. I asked for some leniency for my family. Remember? Well, I got none and you'll get none."
As the plane cruised at 22,000 feet, the cockpit voice recorder captured the sound of gunfire. Burke had shot Thompson, and amidst the chaos, he stormed the cockpit. The recorder caught the frantic exchanges and the sound of more gunshots as Burke methodically executed the pilots and a flight attendant before seizing control.
The Descent into Catastrophe
With Burke at the helm, the aircraft plummeted toward the earth at speeds nearing 770 mph. The final moments were filled with horrific sounds as the plane disintegrated upon impact in the Santa Lucia Mountains, between Paso Robles and Cayucos, leaving a crater in its wake. The crash obliterated the aircraft, and the force of the impact made identification of the victims almost impossible.
Investigators later found Burke's fingerprint on the revolver's trigger, confirming he remained conscious until the end. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI concluded that Burke had orchestrated the mass murder-suicide based on the evidence left behind, including his ominous note.
Aftermath and Legacy
The crash claimed the lives of all 43 onboard, including notable figures such as James Sylla, the president of Chevron USA, and executives from Pacific Bell. In the wake of the tragedy, new federal laws were enacted to prevent such breaches of security, including the immediate confiscation of credentials from terminated airline employees.
A memorial stands in the Los Osos Valley Memorial Park, honoring the victims of Flight 1771. The incident's chilling narrative was later captured in dramatizations, including episodes of the series "Mayday" and the podcast "Black Box Down."
David A. Burke: A Portrait of Violence
Burke's life was marked by turmoil and aggression, described by those who knew him as violent. He fathered seven children with four different women but never married, leaving behind a legacy of tragedy and despair.
Dramatization in Media
The story of Flight 1771 has been retold in various media, serving as a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked anger and revenge. It is a narrative that continues to haunt the annals of aviation history, ensuring that the lessons learned are never forgotten.
Sources
For a detailed account of the event, refer to the original Wikipedia article: Wikipedia - David A. Burke
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Flight 1771 Hijacked
David Burke hijacks Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, armed with a revolver.
Flight Departs
Flight 1771 departs from Los Angeles International Airport at 15:31 PST.
Gunshots Aboard
Multiple gunshots are heard on the cockpit voice recorder as Burke shoots the crew.
Plane Crashes
Flight 1771 crashes into a hillside in San Luis Obispo County, killing all 43 on board.
Investigation Begins
NTSB and FBI begin investigation into the crash, focusing on Burke's actions.
Burke's Note Found
Investigators find a note written by Burke on an airsickness bag, indicating his motive.
NTSB Report Released
NTSB releases preliminary findings, confirming Burke's responsibility for the crash.
Security Changes Implemented
New federal laws are enacted requiring stricter security measures for airline employees.
On December 7, 1987, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, a scheduled domestic flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, was hijacked by a passenger, David Burke, a disgruntled former employee of USAir. The aircraft, a British Aerospace 146-200A, crashed in San Luis Obispo County near Cayucos, California, resulting in the deaths of all 43 occupants, including Burke, who shot the flight crew and then crashed the plane. The motive for the hijacking was Burke's anger towards his former boss, Ray Thompson, who was also on board and was the first victim. This incident marked one of the deadliest mass murders in California's history, and there were no survivors. The case remains a significant example of aviation security failures and the tragic consequences of personal vendettas.
David Burke, the hijacker, is believed to have targeted the flight due to his grievances against his former employer, USAir, leading to speculation that his actions were motivated by revenge. Some theories suggest that Burke may have intended to crash the plane into a populated area, while others believe he simply wanted to cause chaos and destruction as part of his suicide mission. There is also speculation about whether he had any accomplices or if his actions were solely the result of his personal vendetta.
Tragedy in the Skies: The Hijacking of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771
The Fateful Flight
On December 7, 1987, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 became the stage for a harrowing act of vengeance that would end in tragedy. Departing from Los Angeles International Airport, the British Aerospace 146-200A, known as "The Smile of Stockton," was on a routine journey to San Francisco. On board were 43 souls, including passengers, crew, and one man who would forever alter its course—David Augustus Burke.
The Aircraft and Its Crew
The aircraft was powered by four Lycoming ALF502R-3 turbofan engines. At the helm were Captain Gregg Lindamood, a seasoned pilot with 11,000 flight hours, and First Officer James Howard Nunn, who boasted 12,000 hours of flight experience. The cabin crew consisted of Debbie Nissen Neil, Debra Watterson Vuylsteke, and Julie Gottesman, each having dedicated years to the airline.
A Disgruntled Employee
David Burke, originally from Croydon, London, had immigrated to the United States with his Jamaican parents. His career with USAir was marred by suspicion and controversy, notably for petty theft and alleged involvement in a drug-smuggling ring. Fired for stealing $70, Burke was desperate to reclaim his job. His pleas for reinstatement were rejected by his supervisor, Ray Thompson, who would become the first victim in Burke's final act of desperation.
The Incident Unfolds
Burke exploited his former USAir credentials to bypass security at LAX, carrying a borrowed Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver. He boarded Flight 1771, where he left a chilling note on an airsickness bag addressed to Thompson: "Hi Ray. I think it's sort of ironical that we end up like this. I asked for some leniency for my family. Remember? Well, I got none and you'll get none."
As the plane cruised at 22,000 feet, the cockpit voice recorder captured the sound of gunfire. Burke had shot Thompson, and amidst the chaos, he stormed the cockpit. The recorder caught the frantic exchanges and the sound of more gunshots as Burke methodically executed the pilots and a flight attendant before seizing control.
The Descent into Catastrophe
With Burke at the helm, the aircraft plummeted toward the earth at speeds nearing 770 mph. The final moments were filled with horrific sounds as the plane disintegrated upon impact in the Santa Lucia Mountains, between Paso Robles and Cayucos, leaving a crater in its wake. The crash obliterated the aircraft, and the force of the impact made identification of the victims almost impossible.
Investigators later found Burke's fingerprint on the revolver's trigger, confirming he remained conscious until the end. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI concluded that Burke had orchestrated the mass murder-suicide based on the evidence left behind, including his ominous note.
Aftermath and Legacy
The crash claimed the lives of all 43 onboard, including notable figures such as James Sylla, the president of Chevron USA, and executives from Pacific Bell. In the wake of the tragedy, new federal laws were enacted to prevent such breaches of security, including the immediate confiscation of credentials from terminated airline employees.
A memorial stands in the Los Osos Valley Memorial Park, honoring the victims of Flight 1771. The incident's chilling narrative was later captured in dramatizations, including episodes of the series "Mayday" and the podcast "Black Box Down."
David A. Burke: A Portrait of Violence
Burke's life was marked by turmoil and aggression, described by those who knew him as violent. He fathered seven children with four different women but never married, leaving behind a legacy of tragedy and despair.
Dramatization in Media
The story of Flight 1771 has been retold in various media, serving as a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked anger and revenge. It is a narrative that continues to haunt the annals of aviation history, ensuring that the lessons learned are never forgotten.
Sources
For a detailed account of the event, refer to the original Wikipedia article: Wikipedia - David A. Burke
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Flight 1771 Hijacked
David Burke hijacks Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, armed with a revolver.
Flight Departs
Flight 1771 departs from Los Angeles International Airport at 15:31 PST.
Gunshots Aboard
Multiple gunshots are heard on the cockpit voice recorder as Burke shoots the crew.
Plane Crashes
Flight 1771 crashes into a hillside in San Luis Obispo County, killing all 43 on board.
Investigation Begins
NTSB and FBI begin investigation into the crash, focusing on Burke's actions.
Burke's Note Found
Investigators find a note written by Burke on an airsickness bag, indicating his motive.
NTSB Report Released
NTSB releases preliminary findings, confirming Burke's responsibility for the crash.
Security Changes Implemented
New federal laws are enacted requiring stricter security measures for airline employees.