Hijacking on Tropic Air Flight Ends with Fatal Shooting in Belize

• Date: April 17, 2025

• Location: Near Corozal, Belize

• Aircraft: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX

• Operator: Tropic Air

• Flight: 9N711

• Occupants: 14

• Fatalities: 1 (Hijacker)

• Injuries: 3 (including pilot and passengers)

• Departure airport: Corozal Airport (CZH/MZCZ)

• Destination airport: San Pedro Airport (SPR/MZSP)

A dramatic mid-air hijacking unfolded over Belize on Thursday morning when Tropic Air flight 9N711, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX En route from Corozal to San Pedro, was commandeered by a knife-wielding passenger. The hijacker, identified as 49-year-old Akinyela Sawa Taylor, reportedly demanded that the aircraft be flown to the United States.

The pilot, Howell Grange, managed to keep the aircraft airborne for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes while under duress. During the incident, Taylor allegedly attacked fellow passengers, stabbing at least one person in the back and injuring another. Grange and two passengers sustained injuries in the course of the event.

As fuel levels became critical, the aircraft ultimately landed safely at Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE), where the situation reached its conclusion. A licensed firearm holder among the passengers shot Taylor moments after landing. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Belize’s Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, confirmed that police forces had been mobilized to multiple airports, uncertain of the plane’s final destination. A rescue helicopter tracked the aircraft’s erratic flight over the coastline, ready to respond in the event of a crash or emergency landing.

Authorities noted that Taylor had previously been denied entry into Belize, though details about how he re-entered the country remain unclear. There is no current evidence linking the hijacking to any broader threat.

In response, the Government of Belize and the Department of Civil Aviation have launched a full investigation and pledged to enhance domestic flight security protocols. They emphasized the rarity of such incidents and reassured the public that safety remains their top priority. Immediate steps are being taken to strengthen security at domestic airports across the country.

While all injured individuals are expected to recover, the incident has raised pressing concerns about passenger screening and onboard security for small aircraft in Belize's domestic network.

Social Media

Tropic Air flight 711, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, was hijacked after takeoff from Corozal Airport, Belize by a passenger holding a knife.
The flight diverted to Belize City Airport; after landing a passenger shot and killed the hijacker. pic.twitter.com/CczpIvQwL0

— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) April 18, 2025

Confidence Rating

The information provided is based on news reports and social media sources, which may not always be fully verified. This analysis is a self-effort and does not reflect official statements or conclusions. As such, the confidence rating for this data is considered unofficial and subject to further investigation.

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