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00:00:00 – 00:49:46
The video describes a harrowing incident on December 11, 1994, when a bomb exploded on Philippine Airlines flight 434, killing a passenger and critically damaging the aircraft. The bomb was planted by terrorist Ramsay Yousef, who used the alias Armaldo Forlani. Captain Ed Reyes and his crew managed to land the plane safely at Naha Airport in Okinawa despite significant damage and a compromised autopilot system.
An investigation led by Japanese police, with help from Philippine authorities and the FBI, uncovered Yousef's sophisticated bombing techniques and his broader plot to destroy multiple American aircraft. Detailed evidence from the bomber’s Manila apartment linked him to other terror activities, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. A failed attempt to burn chemicals in the apartment led to further breakthroughs, with Philippine police arresting Yousef’s accomplice Abdul Hakim Murad.
Inspector Ada Farascal played a key role, discovering forged IDs and detailed plans in the bomber’s residence, which connected Yousef to al-Qaeda. FBI agent Frank Pellegrino pursued this lead, and a subsequent publicity campaign in Pakistan led to Yousef's capture. Yousef was extradited to the U.S., found guilty, and sentenced to 240 years in prison.
The video highlights the evolution of terrorist strategies, the inadequacies in airline security at the time, and the necessity for heightened vigilance against ongoing terrorist threats.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, a deadly explosion occurs on a Philippine Airlines flight at 10,000 meters, caused by a bomb that kills a passenger and cripples the aircraft. The crew struggles to save the 293 lives on board. This incident triggers an international manhunt as the terrorist plans to strike again. The narrative shifts to December 11, 1994, two hours into a routine flight from Manila to Tokyo when the bomb explodes, endangering the plane’s control. Investigators discover that this bombing is merely a test for a subsequent, larger attack on American carriers. The video then focuses on the terrorist, using the alias Armaldo Forlani, who meticulously prepares and successfully smuggles the bomb through airport security for this mission, highlighting his skills in bomb-building and forging identities.
00:05:00
In this part of the video, the narrative describes Philippine Airlines flight 434’s journey. Initially, it focuses on the stopover in Cebu, the introduction of the crew, and the relatively empty first leg from Manila. The bomber, seated in 26k, assembles and hides an explosive device in the life jacket pocket under his seat before switching places. Maria de la Cruz, a stewardess, notes the bomber’s movements and untouched breakfast. After landing in Cebu, more passengers, mainly Japanese, board for the flight to Tokyo, unaware of the ticking bomb. At 8:38 a.m., flight 434 is cleared for takeoff to Tokyo, carrying the concealed threat onboard.
00:10:00
In this segment of the video, Captain Ed Reyes, assisted by First Officer Jaime Herrera and Systems Engineer Dexter Commandador, is navigating the flight deck. The plane reaches 10,000 meters. Passengers are quietly engaged in activities or resting. Suddenly, a bomb explodes near seat 26K, creating chaos. Haruki Ikigami, sitting in the seat previously occupied by the bomber, is severely injured and later dies. The cabin crew, led by Stuart Fernando Bayot, work to maintain order, move injured passengers to safety, and discreetly handle Ikigami’s body to avoid further panic. Captain Reyes remains concerned about the potential for depressurization of the cabin.
00:15:00
In this segment, the video describes an emergency situation on a flight that necessitated an emergency descent due to an explosion that caused significant damage. A huge hole was discovered beside a passenger, and there was concern that a small tear could lead to catastrophic failure. The first officer observed the lack of damage to the outer skin, reported to the captain, and assumed the pressurization system would hold.
After the explosion, the co-pilot’s steering wheel slammed to the right, causing the aircraft to bank. Although the autopilot corrected the deviation, it soon became clear that the autopilot steering system was also compromised. The pilot, Reyes, found no response when trying to control the plane manually via the autopilot, indicating a significant problem.
One passenger was seriously injured and needed urgent medical attention, prompting Reyes to decide to land at Naha Airport on the island of Okinawa, 74 kilometers away. He ordered a Mayday call, which was eventually understood by an American air traffic controller from a base on Okinawa after initial communication difficulties with Japanese controllers.
The autopilot was not responding to commands, and the aircraft was at risk of missing Okinawa. Disengaging the autopilot posed a risk of losing the minimal control they had. Reyes counted down and disengaged the autopilot, fortunately retaining control. They then realized the explosion had jammed the ailerons, which are crucial for turning the aircraft. The quick reference handbook advised using maximum force to activate the ailerons, but Reyes could only keep the plane flying straight. He decided to re-engage the autopilot while considering their options.
00:20:00
In this part of the video, the passengers and crew of PAL 434 experience significant tension as the plane takes much longer to land than initially announced. Despite surviving a bombing, anxiety about their safety increases. Captain Reyes devises a plan to use differential power to turn the aircraft and attempts to line up with the runway at Naha airport.
The crew makes critical maneuvers, including reducing speed, dumping fuel to decrease landing weight, and regaining some control over the elevator. As the time to touchdown nears, fears arise about potential damage to the landing gear. Captain Reyes communicates with the cabin crew, instructing them on emergency protocols.
Eventually, with minimal control over the aircraft, Captain Reyes performs the final approach manually. The landing gears take longer to deploy than expected, adding to the tension. Finally, Reyes successfully lands the aircraft with precise coordination and assistance from the co-pilot, ensuring the safety of all 292 people on board.
00:25:00
In this segment of the video, the scene surrounding the Philippine Airlines 747, now a crime scene under Japanese jurisdiction, is described. Okinawa Police Department investigators focus on understanding what happened, starting with examining the deceased individual in seat 26K. The forensic pathologist finds 94 fragments in the victim’s body caused by the explosion. Investigators note that the vertical direction of the blast, while tragic, was fortunate as a side blast would have breached the aircraft’s hull. Additionally, damage from the explosion severed key control cables but did not ignite the center fuel tank because of the seat’s location.
Investigators collect evidence, from large debris to tiny fragments, and identify the bomb’s timer as a modified digital wristwatch and discover a nine-volt battery sold only in the Philippines, pointing to the bomber’s potential location. Philippine police later connect the incident to Middle Eastern individuals in the Philippines. A breakthrough occurs on January 6, 1995, when an attempt to burn chemicals in the bomber’s Manila apartment causes a smoke incident, alerting the building’s doorman.
00:30:00
In this segment, the doorman is suspicious of the tenants and calls the fire department and police. When authorities arrive, the smoke has dissipated, and the bomber realizes he left an important item in the apartment. He convinces a friend to retrieve his laptop. Police Inspector Ada Farascal, suspecting they are from Pakistan, insists on inspecting their room. The police are on high alert due to an upcoming visit by the Pope.
Inspector Farascal uncovers alarming evidence, confirming her fears. A distraction allows the apprentice to trip, and despite not having handcuffs, the doorman uses windbreaker drawstrings to restrain him, though the bomber escapes. Senior officer Sonny Raisin identifies the incident as proof of an al-Qaeda cell in the Philippines, prompting notification to Interpol, Scotland Yard, and the FBI. FBI agent Frank Pellegrino, already tracking terrorist Ramsay Youssef, takes a keen interest.
The Philippine police discover more evidence connecting Youssef to a previous bombing. They find various forged identification cards and a notable ID with the World Trade Center bombing date. Youssef’s detailed notes in a chemical dictionary and numerous prints link him to the apartment. The sophisticated design of hidden bombs in Casio watches poses a serious challenge to airline security, revealing Youssef’s expertise in evading airport checks.
00:35:00
In this segment of the video, the narrative describes the identification and background of Ramsay Youssef, an international terrorist responsible for planting a bomb on Philippine Airlines flight 434. Youssef, who is also known by several aliases and has a significant bounty on his head, was identified through evidence such as a travel agent linking him to the airline ticket. Born in Kuwait and having gained engineering skills in Britain, Youssef later taught bomb-making in militant camps in Pakistan. He entered the U.S. with a fake passport and orchestrated the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Following this, he moved to Manila and continued his terrorist activities, leading to PAL 434’s bombing. His childhood friend Abdul Hakim Murad assisted him but was arrested, which led to extracting crucial details about Youssef’s methods, including using liquid nitroglycerin hidden in contact lens solution and bomb components in shoe heels.
00:40:00
In this part of the video, Murad’s confession reveals details about Yousef’s method of smuggling bomb components past airport security and assembling a lethal device on an airplane. He uses a modified digital wristwatch as a timer linked to a detonator inside a nitroglycerin bottle, which is stored under his seat to avoid detection. The explosion alerts the airline industry to a new form of terrorism. Pellegrino and the FBI discover from files on Yousef’s laptop that this bombing was a test for a larger plot aimed at destroying 12 American planes, intended to kill 4,000 passengers. Despite their efforts, by the time the FBI arrives in the Philippines, Yousef has already evaded capture and the investigation returns to focus on Pakistan.
00:45:00
In this segment, the FBI launches a publicity campaign in Pakistan, offering a two million dollar reward for capturing Yousef. This tactic is successful when one of Yousef’s recruits informs authorities of his whereabouts, leading to his arrest by a Pakistani SWAT team just before an attempted airline bombing. Evidence found in his hotel room includes airline flight schedules and bomb components. Following his arrest, Yousef is extradited to the United States for trial, where he is found guilty of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the bombing of PAL 434. He is sentenced to 240 years in prison with recommendations for lifetime solitary confinement. The video highlights the inefficacy of U.S. airline security measures prior to 9/11 and underscores the ongoing threat of terrorism, stressing the need for constant vigilance.