The Flight 127 Catastrophe

All the Old Knives

The hijacking escalates from a disciplined hostage seizure into a mass killing when the rescue effort loses its human source and the attackers deploy poison.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Threat Arrives The Threat Arrives from "All the Old Knives". The Threat Arrives Warning A source called TRIPWIRE warns of an airline-related attack connected to Aslim Taslam.

The Threat Arrives from "All the Old Knives". The Threat Arrives Warning A source called TRIPWIRE warns of an airline-related attack connected to Aslim Taslam.

The Threat Arrives Warning A source called TRIPWIRE warns of an airline-related attack connected to Aslim Taslam. The Vienna station debates whether the threat is credible and whether Austria or Germany is the likely target. Preparation Celia Favreau and William Compton begin contacting sources while Victor Wallinger organizes the station. The warning initially receives too little urgency.

The Plane Is Seized The Plane Is Seized from "All the Old Knives". The Plane Is Seized Attack Four members of Aslim Taslam seize Royal Jordanian Flight 127 after it lands.

The Plane Is Seized from "All the Old Knives". The Plane Is Seized Attack Four members of Aslim Taslam seize Royal Jordanian Flight 127 after it lands.

The Plane Is Seized Attack Four members of Aslim Taslam seize Royal Jordanian Flight 127 after it lands. Suleiman Wahed shoots a flight attendant, then the hijackers separate the children from the other passengers. Leverage The attackers threaten to kill children if anyone interferes. The passengers become hostages in a crisis whose demands include the release of prisoners in Austria and Germany.

A Possible Rescue A Possible Rescue from "All the Old Knives". A Possible Rescue Intelligence Ahmed Najjar sends messages from the plane describing the hostages and recommending an attack through the rear landing gear.

A Possible Rescue from "All the Old Knives". A Possible Rescue Intelligence Ahmed Najjar sends messages from the plane describing the hostages and recommending an attack through the rear landing gear.

A Possible Rescue Intelligence Ahmed Najjar sends messages from the plane describing the hostages and recommending an attack through the rear landing gear. His reports briefly give the station an inside view of the crisis. Risk The proposed assault could save many people but might also kill hostages. Celia points out that media attention could reveal preparations to the hijackers.

The Messages Change The Messages Change from "All the Old Knives". The Messages Change Discovery Ahmed’s later message suddenly uses different grammar and urges the authorities to surrender.

The Messages Change from "All the Old Knives". The Messages Change Discovery Ahmed’s later message suddenly uses different grammar and urges the authorities to surrender.

The Messages Change Discovery Ahmed’s later message suddenly uses different grammar and urges the authorities to surrender. Celia notices that the change suggests someone else is using the courier’s phone. Consequence The station debates whether Ahmed has been discovered and whether the warning about an external camera is reliable. The disagreement delays a unified response.

Poison in the Cabin Poison in the Cabin from "All the Old Knives". Poison in the Cabin Desperate Measure After the attackers refuse to negotiate, poison is introduced through the aircraft ventilation system.

Poison in the Cabin from "All the Old Knives". Poison in the Cabin Desperate Measure After the attackers refuse to negotiate, poison is introduced through the aircraft ventilation system.

Poison in the Cabin Desperate Measure After the attackers refuse to negotiate, poison is introduced through the aircraft ventilation system. The pilots die, and the authorities realize that the passengers may already be dead as well. Aftermath The cabin contains a mass of victims, including the children. The catastrophe becomes the defining wound of the station and the reason its survivors cannot return to ordinary life.

December 2006, before the hijacking

December 2006, after Royal Jordanian Flight 127 lands in Vienna

The first hours of the hijacking

The night of the hijacking

The final hours of the hijacking