TWA Flight 840
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TWA Flight 840 was a regularly scheduled flight from Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport in Rome, Italy to Ellinikon International Airport in Athens, Greece. The flight was twice subject to attack. It was hijacked on August 29, 1969 and then bombed on April 2, 1986.
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1969 hijacking
In August 1969, leaders in the Palestinian left-wing organization PFLP learned that Yitzak Rabin, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States was scheduled to be aboard the flight. Two operatives, Leila Khaled and Salim Issawi hijacked the plane. The operation was successful, although Rabin was not aboard. The hijackers demanded that the pilot land in Damascus. The hostages were released and no one was injured, although the plane, a Boeing 707 was blown up.
1986 bombing
On April 2, 1986, N54340, a Boeing 727-231 was flying on the route with 114 passengers. A bomb was detonated on the aircraft, sucking four American passengers (including a nine-month-old infant) to their deaths below. Five other Americans on the aircraft were injured, and a rapid decompression ensued in the cabin. The remaining 110 passengers survived the incident.
A group calling itself the Arab Revolutionary Cells claimed responsibility, saying it was committed because of "American arrogance" and the US clashes with Libya in the Gulf of Sidra the week before.
Investigators concluded the bomb was a 1-pound charge of plastic explosive. It had been placed under the seat cushion by a Lebanese woman (later arrested) working for the May 15 Organization, a Palestinian splinter group led by a close associate of Yasser Arafat.
Victims, Deceased
- Maria Styllan Klug
- Demetra Klug (the infant)
- Alberto Ospino
- Demetra Stylianopoulos