A tragic event shook Belize yesterday, Thursday, April 17, 2025, when a US citizen identified as Akinyela Sawa Taylor, hijacked a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX registration V3-HIG of the local airline Tropic Air, which took off from Coral Airport with a total of 14 people on board, bound for San Pedro. The man, a veteran of the US armed forces armed with a knife, sowed panic among the passengers and crew, injuring three people before being fatally shot during the landing phases at the "Philip Goldson" International Airport in Belize City.

According to a press conference today by Police Commissioner Chester Williams, Taylor pulled out the knife in flight, immediately after takeoff, ordering the pilot to divert the flight to the United States. Instead, the plane continued to fly over the area between the north of the country and the capital for a prolonged period, presumably until it partially ran out of fuel.

The situation on board quickly escalated. Taylor physically attacked those on board, managing to stab three people, including the pilot of the aircraft. The dramatic turn of events occurred during the landing maneuver. An injured passenger on board, who had a valid gun license, responded to the attack by opening fire on the hijacker. Both the veteran and the passenger who fired the shot were rushed to hospitals in Belize City, but there was nothing that could be done for Akinyela Sawa Taylor: he died shortly after admission due to the gunshot wound he suffered. The pilot and the other person injured in the attack are also currently under medical observation, but their conditions do not raise particular concerns, according to local health sources.

Commissioner Williams expressed shock over the incident and publicly acknowledged that the manner in which Taylor was able to board the plane with a bladed weapon raises serious questions. "It is clear that the security measures in place at smaller airstrips across the country are not sufficient to ensure thorough screening of passengers and their bags", he said, announcing an immediate review of airport security protocols nationwide.

Belize authorities have launched an investigation to reconstruct the exact dynamics of the events and determine any liability or negligence. They are collecting testimonies from passengers and crew, and are analyzing flight data to better understand the path of the plane during the hijacking. The competent authorities are also working with the US Embassy in Belize to provide support and information to Taylor 's family.

Following the incident, Maximillian Greif, CEO of Tropic Air Belize, signed a press release in which he applauded the behavior of the pilot who found himself "facing a serious and unprecedented in-flight emergency. Despite incomprehensible pressure, our pilot acted with extraordinary courage and calm, guiding the aircraft to a safe landing. His actions were nothing short of heroic. Several passengers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment. We stand with them and offer all possible support". The CEO concluded: "We express our sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Department of Civil Aviation, law enforcement and medical teams for their immediate intervention and continued support throughout the emergency".