Armed American Hijacks Tropic Air Flight in Belize, Fatally Shot Mid-Flight
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In a highly unusual and violent mid-air incident, a Tropic Air Cessna Grand Caravan operating a short domestic route within Belize was hijacked by an armed American passenger on April 17, 2025. The flight, originally scheduled to operate between Corozal (CZH) and San Pedro (SPR), was diverted and eventually landed in Belize City (BZE) following a two-hour ordeal that ended with the hijacker being fatally shot by a fellow passenger.
Tropic Air Flight Hijacked Shortly After Takeoff
The flight was operated by a seven-year-old Cessna Grand Caravan (registration V3-HIG) with 14 passengers and 2 crew members on board. Tropic Air, Belize’s largest domestic carrier, operates over 200 flights daily, primarily using Cessna Grand Caravans for short-haul service to vacation and regional destinations.
After departing CZH at approximately 8:30 AM local time, the aircraft was hijacked shortly after takeoff by a 49-year-old American passenger, Akinyela Taylor, who was reportedly armed with a knife. He issued commands to the crew and demanded that the aircraft be flown to the United States. Recognizing the aircraft’s fuel limitations, the hijacker reportedly ordered a diversion to Mexico for refueling.
Instead, the aircraft circled Belizean airspace for nearly two hours during tense negotiations, before the pilot successfully diverted and landed the aircraft at Belize’s main international airport (BZE), just before fuel was expected to run out.
Violence Onboard and Passenger Intervention
During the standoff, the hijacker stabbed the pilot and two other passengers. At some point, one of the passengers—who was reportedly legally licensed to carry a firearm aboard the aircraft—intervened and fatally shot the hijacker. The firearm was surrendered to Belizean authorities after the plane landed.
Following the emergency landing, the wounded passengers, including the pilot, were taken to local hospitals. One passenger was reportedly in critical condition at the time of reporting.
Video footage captured during and after the incident shows the dramatic nature of the situation, including scenes of the aircraft’s interior and post-landing evacuation.
Official Response and Airline Statement
Tropic Air CEO Maximillian Greif issued an official statement following the event:
“A Tropic Air flight faced a serious and unprecedented in-flight emergency. In the face of incomprehensible pressure, our pilot acted with extraordinary courage and calm, guiding the aircraft to a safe landing. His actions were nothing short of heroic… Safety is and remains our top priority.”
Greif also extended thanks to Belize’s Prime Minister, the Department of Civil Aviation, law enforcement, and emergency responders, all of whom provided immediate support following the event.
About the Hijacker
The deceased hijacker, Akinyela Taylor, was an American citizen and U.S. military veteran, who had recently arrived in Belize as a tourist. While his exact motive remains unclear, authorities have stated there were no known legal issues or immigration complications that would have prevented him from departing the country on a commercial flight. At this stage, investigators have not ruled out mental health factors as a possible contributing cause.
Bottom Line
On April 17, 2025, a Tropic Air domestic flight in Belize was hijacked mid-flight by an American passenger armed with a knife. The attacker stabbed three individuals, including the pilot, before being fatally shot by an armed passenger. The aircraft safely diverted to Belize City (BZE), and the injured were transported to local hospitals. The incident underscores serious concerns around passenger security on small regional flights and raises broader questions about mental health, aviation policy, and legal firearm carriage aboard aircraft in certain jurisdictions.
