A Tropic Air flight from Corozal Town to San Pedro in Belize was hijacked by an American brandishing a knife this morning. He seized control of the small Caravan aircraft and held it “at the mercy” of his threats. The morning flight carried 11 passengers, and shortly after takeoff, 49‑year‑old Californian Akinyela Sawa Taylor approached the cockpit with a knife and ordered the pilot to stay in the air until the aircraft ran out of fuel The plane looped south toward Belize City, then out over Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel and San Pedro, before the airport became alerted to the crisis. Despite the threats, the pilot managed a safe unplanned landing in Belize City. Two passengers suffered knife wounds during the confrontation and were rushed to nearby hospitals; one remains in critical condition following surgery.…
