Above the Waves: A Deep Dive into the Heroic Acts of Flight 961

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Hello, flyers and aviation enthusiasts! Welcome back to our high-flying blog, where the skies are limitless and the stories are as compelling as the journeys themselves. Today we're delving into a tale that is both heart-stopping and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit - the story of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961.

Sequence showing the ditching of the aircraft; this was recorded by a South African tourist. Photo by Wikipedia.

As we embark on this exploration, it's important that we do so with the utmost sincerity and respect for those who experienced this harrowing event. The incident occurred on 23 November 1996, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961, a Boeing 767-200ER, became the centre of an extraordinary story that unfolded over the Indian Ocean.

ET-AIZ, the aircraft involved, pictured six months before the crash Photo by Aero Icarus on Wikipedia.

Picture this: a routine flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Nairobi, Kenya, with passengers settling in for a smooth journey. Little did they know that fate had a different plan for them.

The standard route of flight 961. (Own work, map by learnnc.org.)

About three hours into the flight, the unthinkable happened. Three hijackers armed with knives stormed the cockpit and demanded the plane be diverted to Australia. The crew, showing remarkable composure, tried to negotiate with the hijackers, but tragically their demands couldn't be met.

Flight 961’s approximate range, vs. the location of Australia. (Own work, map courtesy Library of Congress)

In a moment of incredible courage and quick thinking, the crew initiated a series of evasive manoeuvres to thwart the hijackers' plans. Despite their efforts, the situation took a turn for the worse when the aircraft, running critically low on fuel, was forced to ditch in the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean near the Comoros Islands.

Leul Abate, probably at right, started out as an aircraft mechanic, a role in which he is depicted in this photo, before working his way to the top of the flight line. (Ethiopian Airlines)

The impact was severe and chaos ensued as passengers and crew faced the daunting task of evacuating a partially submerged aircraft. Miraculously, amidst the wreckage and turbulent waters, rescuers and locals rushed to the scene to help. In the face of adversity, the human spirit prevailed and many lives were saved that day.

The crash site of flight 961 at the Le Galawa Hotel. (Own work of https://admiralcloudberg.medium.com, imagery by Google)

While the incident was undoubtedly tragic, it is a poignant reminder of the resilience and bravery of both crew and passengers. The aviation community has learned valuable lessons from this event, which have contributed to improved safety measures and procedures.

Captain Leul Abate is escorted from his plane in a wheelchair upon his retirement from flying in 2019. (Ethiopiawinet on Facebook)

As we reflect on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961, let's honour the lives affected by this event and celebrate the courage shown in the face of adversity. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the aviation industry's unwavering commitment to safety. Safe travels and blue skies ahead!

Witnesses and locals approached the remains of the 767’s tail as it slowly washed ashore. (Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives)