By Belize Live News Staff: A domestic Tropic Air flight from Ranchito Village to San Pedro Town ended in tragedy on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after an armed hijacker reportedly attacked the pilot mid-flight, leading to a fatal confrontation as the plane landed at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA).
According to police reports, Tropic Air Manager Edwardo Novelo, 54, informed Corozal police that the Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft, carrying 14 passengers and a pilot, was hijacked shortly after departing at 8:16 a.m.
When the aircraft landed around 10:15 a.m. at PGIA, authorities were waiting. One of the passengers, Fitzgerald Brown, emerged with blood on his body and a firearm and knife in hand. Brown immediately identified himself and handed over both weapons to police, stating that he shot the hijacker during the landing after the man attempted to stab the pilot.
Police identified the hijacker as Akinyela Sawa Taylor, 49, a U.S. national. He was found inside the aircraft with multiple injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).
Passengers Franchesco Castañeda, 42, and Fitzgerald Brown, 60, were both hospitalized in stable condition. The pilot, Howell Grange, 40, remains in critical condition. Investigators processed the scene and recovered multiple expended shell casings.
Police continue to gather statements from the surviving passengers as they piece together one of the most terrifying aviation events in Belize’s recent history.
