On March 13, 1978, United Airlines Flight 696 was hijacked a dramatic incident that captured public attention but fortunately ended without fatalities. The Boeing 727, with 75 people on board, was en route from San Francisco to Seattle when a single hijacker, Clay Thomas, claimed to have a bomb and demanded to be flown to Cuba. What followed was a tense yet controlled sequence of events in Oakland and Denver, where pilots and passengers navigated fear, quick thinking, and negotiation. This incident occurred during an era marked by frequent aircraft hijackings, and it helped shape both airline protocols and public awareness about aviation security.
Flight and Hijacking Overview
The Aircraft and Route
United Flight 696 departed San Francisco International Airport bound for Seattle/Tacoma International Airport. The aircraft was a Boeing 727-222, a popular medium-range airliner of the time. Shortly after takeoff, the hijacker Clay Thomas claimed to have a bomb and diverted the flight to Oakland, California, demanding refueling en route to Cuba.
Hijacker’s Demands and In-Flight Negotiations
Upon landing in Oakland, Thomas allowed all passengers and cabin crew to disembark while airport authorities and crew deliberated. Fearing law enforcement presence, he abruptly ended the refueling, forcing the plane to take off partially fueled. The pilot informed him that the aircraft lacked sufficient fuel to reach Cuba and suggested heading to Denver for another fuel stop a plan Thomas accepted.
Landing in Denver and Crew Escape
Desperate Measures
Once in Denver, negotiations continued. The crew, feeling threatened and seeing no safe resolution, executed a risky escape: all three cockpit crew members jumped from the cockpit windows an 18-foot drop. Despite suffering fractures and torn cartilage, they survived the fall. With no crew aboard, the hijacker realized his situation had deteriorated and promptly surrendered to FBI agents waiting on the tarmac.
Hijacker Profile and Motives
Who Was Clay Thomas?
Thomas was a 27-year-old from California, and his motives seemed driven more by impulse than ideology. His demand to fly to Cuba mirrored a trend of the era, where hijackers often sought asylum in communist countries or aimed to draw attention for personal reasons. His claimed bomb turned out to be nothing more than papers, books, and a lollipop revealing his bluff.
End of the Hijacking
Without hostages and faced with law enforcement pressure, Thomas surrendered peacefully. No lives were lost, though several crew members were injured. The swift resolution highlighted both the desperation of the hijacker and the competence of crew and federal agents.
Broader Context of 1970s Hijackings
A Surge in Aircraft Piracy
The 1960s and 1970s saw a wave of high-profile hijackings, especially U.S.-Cuba incidents. These events caused widespread alarm. Screenings like metal detectors and X-ray scanners were introduced in airports starting January 1973 to curb the threat.
Hijackings as Inconvenient Opportunism
During that period, hijackings were sometimes viewed as nuisances rather than terror threats. Writers at the time noted pilots simply complied, detoured, and, in many cases, released passengers unharmed. The Flight 696 incident fell into this pattern: calm negotiations, no violence, and quick resolution.
Impact and Lessons Learned
Changes in Aviation Security
Although Flight 696 did not involve casualties, it contributed to the evolving perception of aviation safety. Combining this event with more dangerous hijackings including threats involving weapons or political demands prompted stricter security measures. The FAA formalized a multi-layered security approach screening intelligence, metal detectors, and onboard protocols to combat hijackings effectively.
Public Awareness and Crew Preparedness
The incident highlighted how well-trained flight crews could manage high-stress scenarios. Balancing compliance, calm coordination, and teamwork, they prioritized passenger safety and de-escalation. For passengers, flights like these underscored that hijackings were increasingly rare and usually resolved without tragedy.
Key Takeaways from United Flight 696
- Occurred March 13, 1978, on a Boeing 727 from San Francisco to Seattle.
- Clay Thomas demanded to be flown to Cuba, claiming he had a bomb.
- Passengers and cabin crew were released in Oakland.
- Crew escaped by jumping from cockpit windows in Denver; the hijacker surrendered without resistance.
- No fatalities; three crew injured.
- Incident contributed to tighter airport security protocols.
The hijacking of United Flight 696 stands as a testament to the turbulent era of 1970s aircraft piracy driven often by personal motives and sometimes absurd demands. Though the threat sounded serious, the resolution was calm and effective. The incident, while dangerous, had a positive legacy: it reinforced the importance of vigilance, training, and security measures that would define future aviation safety standards. Today, United Flight 696 is remembered not for violence or tragedy, but as a moment when quick thinking and protocol prevented disaster and set a path toward safer skies.