Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771
Aircraft Hijacking and Crash
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Cayucos, California
TIME PERIOD
December 7, 1987
VICTIMS
43 confirmed
Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, a scheduled domestic flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, was hijacked on December 7, 1987, and subsequently crashed in San Luis Obispo County, California, killing all 43 occupants, including the hijacker, David Burke. Burke, a disgruntled former employee of USAir, was motivated by revenge against his former boss, Ray Thompson, who was also on the flight and was the first victim. The hijacking resulted in a mass murder-suicide, with Burke reportedly shooting five individuals, including the flight crew, before crashing the aircraft. The incident remains one of the deadliest aviation crimes in U.S. history, with no survivors and significant implications for airline security protocols. The case is officially closed, with all evidence pointing to Burke's actions as the sole cause of the tragedy.
David Burke, the hijacker, is believed to have been motivated by a desire for revenge against his former employer, USAir, which led him to target Pacific Southwest Airlines. Some speculate that Burke's actions were premeditated, as he had a plan to gain access to the cockpit and take control of the aircraft. Additionally, there are theories that the hijacking was influenced by Burke's mental state and personal grievances, raising questions about employee treatment and workplace stress in the airline industry.
The Tragic Story of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771
On a seemingly ordinary day, December 7, 1987, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 set off on its routine journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Little did anyone know, this flight would end in tragedy, marking one of the darkest days in California’s aviation history. As the British Aerospace 146-200A, known as "The Smile of Stockton," soared through the skies, a sinister plot orchestrated by a disgruntled former employee was already in motion.
A Routine Flight Turns Deadly
The flight, designated as PSA 1771, was operated by Pacific Southwest Airlines, with its origins at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and its intended destination at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). On board were 38 passengers, including the hijacker, and a crew of five. The aircraft, registration N350PS, was powered by four Lycoming ALF502R-3 turbofan engines, ready for what was expected to be an uneventful trip.
However, amidst the passengers was David Burke, a former USAir employee whose life had taken a dark turn. Burke, who had been dismissed for petty theft, harbored a seething resentment towards his manager, Ray Thompson, who had refused to reinstate him. This simmering anger led Burke to purchase a ticket for Flight 1771, knowing Thompson would be on board for his daily commute.
The Sinister Plan Unfolds
Burke, exploiting his still-valid USAir credentials, bypassed security seamlessly, smuggling a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver onboard—a weapon he had borrowed from a co-worker. As the flight soared through the clouds, Burke penned a chilling note to Thompson on an airsickness bag. The note read, “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.”
At 3:31 PM PST, Flight 1771 departed from Los Angeles. As it cruised at 22,000 feet over the central California coast, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured the sound of the lavatory door opening—Burke had likely loaded his gun. What followed was a series of events pieced together by investigators, despite the poor quality of the CVR recording.
Chaos in the Skies
As the aircraft flew, two gunshots echoed through the cabin. Burke had presumably shot Thompson first. The pilots managed to communicate to air traffic control that gunshots had been fired, but the situation quickly spiraled out of control. The CVR recorded the sound of the cockpit door opening and a female voice—possibly flight attendant Debbie Neil—uttering the word “captain.” Moments later, more gunshots ensued.
Burke proceeded to shoot Neil, Captain Gregg Lindamood, and First Officer James Howard Nunn, incapacitating them. The plane then pitched into a steep dive, accelerating perilously. Burke likely held the gun until the very end, as evidenced by a fragment of his fingertip lodged in the trigger.
The Catastrophic Crash
At 4:16 PM, Flight 1771 plummeted into a hillside at the Santa Rita cattle ranch in the Santa Lucia Mountains, between Paso Robles and Cayucos. The impact was catastrophic, with the plane disintegrating at a speed faster than sound, estimated at 770 mph. The crash left a crater less than two feet deep, claiming the lives of all 43 aboard, including Burke himself.
Unraveling the Mystery
In the aftermath, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) meticulously pieced together the sequence of events. They discovered the revolver with six spent cartridges and Burke’s ominous note. Further evidence, such as a message on Burke’s girlfriend’s answering machine, confirmed his culpability.
Who Was David A. Burke?
David Augustus Burke was born on May 18, 1952, in Croydon, London, to Jamaican parents. He later moved to the United States, where he became embroiled in suspicions of drug smuggling while working in Rochester, New York. With a reputation for violence, Burke fathered seven children with four women but never married. His life was marred by allegations of criminal activity, culminating in the tragic events aboard Flight 1771.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The incident prompted significant changes in aviation security. New laws mandated the immediate seizure of airline and airport employee credentials upon termination and enforced stringent security measures for airline crew and staff. The crash also inadvertently claimed the lives of notable individuals, including James Sylla, president of Chevron USA, and executives from Pacific Bell, prompting companies to reconsider travel policies for their top officials.
A granite and bronze marker at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park now commemorates the 42 innocent victims. The tragedy of Flight 1771 has been etched into memory, dramatized in documentaries like Mayday’s “I’m the Problem” and the Rooster Teeth podcast Black Box Down.
While the skies have long since cleared over the Santa Lucia Mountains, the haunting legacy of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 endures—a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked anger and the importance of rigorous aviation security.
Sources
For more detailed information, please visit the original Wikipedia article.
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Flight 1771 Hijacking
David Burke hijacks Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, armed with a revolver.
Murder-Suicide
Burke shoots the flight crew and passengers, resulting in the crash of the aircraft.
Flight Crash
Flight 1771 crashes into a hillside, killing all 43 on board.
Investigation Begins
NTSB and FBI begin investigation into the crash and identify Burke as the hijacker.
Burke's Note Found
Investigators find a note written by Burke on an airsickness bag, indicating his motive.
Safety Regulations Changed
New federal laws are enacted requiring immediate seizure of airline employee credentials after termination.
Corporate Travel Policies
Many corporations implement policies to prevent multiple executives from traveling on the same flight.
Memorial Established
A memorial is created to honor the victims of Flight 1771 in Los Osos Valley Memorial Park.
Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, a scheduled domestic flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, was hijacked on December 7, 1987, and subsequently crashed in San Luis Obispo County, California, killing all 43 occupants, including the hijacker, David Burke. Burke, a disgruntled former employee of USAir, was motivated by revenge against his former boss, Ray Thompson, who was also on the flight and was the first victim. The hijacking resulted in a mass murder-suicide, with Burke reportedly shooting five individuals, including the flight crew, before crashing the aircraft. The incident remains one of the deadliest aviation crimes in U.S. history, with no survivors and significant implications for airline security protocols. The case is officially closed, with all evidence pointing to Burke's actions as the sole cause of the tragedy.
David Burke, the hijacker, is believed to have been motivated by a desire for revenge against his former employer, USAir, which led him to target Pacific Southwest Airlines. Some speculate that Burke's actions were premeditated, as he had a plan to gain access to the cockpit and take control of the aircraft. Additionally, there are theories that the hijacking was influenced by Burke's mental state and personal grievances, raising questions about employee treatment and workplace stress in the airline industry.
The Tragic Story of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771
On a seemingly ordinary day, December 7, 1987, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 set off on its routine journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Little did anyone know, this flight would end in tragedy, marking one of the darkest days in California’s aviation history. As the British Aerospace 146-200A, known as "The Smile of Stockton," soared through the skies, a sinister plot orchestrated by a disgruntled former employee was already in motion.
A Routine Flight Turns Deadly
The flight, designated as PSA 1771, was operated by Pacific Southwest Airlines, with its origins at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and its intended destination at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). On board were 38 passengers, including the hijacker, and a crew of five. The aircraft, registration N350PS, was powered by four Lycoming ALF502R-3 turbofan engines, ready for what was expected to be an uneventful trip.
However, amidst the passengers was David Burke, a former USAir employee whose life had taken a dark turn. Burke, who had been dismissed for petty theft, harbored a seething resentment towards his manager, Ray Thompson, who had refused to reinstate him. This simmering anger led Burke to purchase a ticket for Flight 1771, knowing Thompson would be on board for his daily commute.
The Sinister Plan Unfolds
Burke, exploiting his still-valid USAir credentials, bypassed security seamlessly, smuggling a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver onboard—a weapon he had borrowed from a co-worker. As the flight soared through the clouds, Burke penned a chilling note to Thompson on an airsickness bag. The note read, “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.”
At 3:31 PM PST, Flight 1771 departed from Los Angeles. As it cruised at 22,000 feet over the central California coast, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured the sound of the lavatory door opening—Burke had likely loaded his gun. What followed was a series of events pieced together by investigators, despite the poor quality of the CVR recording.
Chaos in the Skies
As the aircraft flew, two gunshots echoed through the cabin. Burke had presumably shot Thompson first. The pilots managed to communicate to air traffic control that gunshots had been fired, but the situation quickly spiraled out of control. The CVR recorded the sound of the cockpit door opening and a female voice—possibly flight attendant Debbie Neil—uttering the word “captain.” Moments later, more gunshots ensued.
Burke proceeded to shoot Neil, Captain Gregg Lindamood, and First Officer James Howard Nunn, incapacitating them. The plane then pitched into a steep dive, accelerating perilously. Burke likely held the gun until the very end, as evidenced by a fragment of his fingertip lodged in the trigger.
The Catastrophic Crash
At 4:16 PM, Flight 1771 plummeted into a hillside at the Santa Rita cattle ranch in the Santa Lucia Mountains, between Paso Robles and Cayucos. The impact was catastrophic, with the plane disintegrating at a speed faster than sound, estimated at 770 mph. The crash left a crater less than two feet deep, claiming the lives of all 43 aboard, including Burke himself.
Unraveling the Mystery
In the aftermath, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) meticulously pieced together the sequence of events. They discovered the revolver with six spent cartridges and Burke’s ominous note. Further evidence, such as a message on Burke’s girlfriend’s answering machine, confirmed his culpability.
Who Was David A. Burke?
David Augustus Burke was born on May 18, 1952, in Croydon, London, to Jamaican parents. He later moved to the United States, where he became embroiled in suspicions of drug smuggling while working in Rochester, New York. With a reputation for violence, Burke fathered seven children with four women but never married. His life was marred by allegations of criminal activity, culminating in the tragic events aboard Flight 1771.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The incident prompted significant changes in aviation security. New laws mandated the immediate seizure of airline and airport employee credentials upon termination and enforced stringent security measures for airline crew and staff. The crash also inadvertently claimed the lives of notable individuals, including James Sylla, president of Chevron USA, and executives from Pacific Bell, prompting companies to reconsider travel policies for their top officials.
A granite and bronze marker at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park now commemorates the 42 innocent victims. The tragedy of Flight 1771 has been etched into memory, dramatized in documentaries like Mayday’s “I’m the Problem” and the Rooster Teeth podcast Black Box Down.
While the skies have long since cleared over the Santa Lucia Mountains, the haunting legacy of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 endures—a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked anger and the importance of rigorous aviation security.
Sources
For more detailed information, please visit the original Wikipedia article.
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 Hijacking
David Burke hijacks Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, armed with a revolver.
Murder-Suicide
Burke shoots the flight crew and passengers, resulting in the crash of the aircraft.
Flight Crash
Flight 1771 crashes into a hillside, killing all 43 on board.
Investigation Begins
NTSB and FBI begin investigation into the crash and identify Burke as the hijacker.
Burke's Note Found
Investigators find a note written by Burke on an airsickness bag, indicating his motive.
Safety Regulations Changed
New federal laws are enacted requiring immediate seizure of airline employee credentials after termination.
Corporate Travel Policies
Many corporations implement policies to prevent multiple executives from traveling on the same flight.
Memorial Established
A memorial is created to honor the victims of Flight 1771 in Los Osos Valley Memorial Park.