The person at the center of this case
American Airlines Flight 625 passengers and crew
Cold Case · Open
42 years waiting · since 1983
AMBROSE HENRY MONTFORT
Justice for American Airlines Flight 625 passengers and crew — the trail went cold in 1983, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1What happened to the alleged bomb device Montfort displayed—a small plastic box with a battery and wire loop?
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suspect
Lead #2Where is Ambrose Henry Montfort now and did he remain in Cuba after the hijacking?
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witness
Lead #3What accounts did the passengers and crew provide about Montfort's behavior and the device he claimed was a bomb?
On September 22, 1983, Ambrose Henry Montfort allegedly hijacked American Airlines Flight 625 shortly after takeoff from New York, claiming to have a bomb and demanding to be flown to Cuba. The aircraft was diverted to Havana, where Montfort disappeared into the Cuban system. Despite a federal arrest warrant issued in 1984, his current whereabouts and status remain unknown, making this case a decades-long mystery of international aviation crime.
Case
#675
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States District Court Eastern District of New York
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Why was Montfort's demand specifically to go to Cuba, and did he have connections or motivations related to that destination?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Crime Aboard an Aircraft - Aircraft Piracy Caution: Ambrose Henry Montfort is wanted for his alleged involvement in the September 22, 1983, hijacking of American Airlines Flight 625 en route from New York to St. Thomas/St.
Croix, United States Virgin Islands. Shortly after the plane took off, Montfort allegedly instructed a passenger to take a note to a flight attendant.
When the passenger read the note, Montfort allegedly announced that he had a bomb and wanted to go to Cuba. Those on board the aircraft observed Montfort holding a small, plastic box with possibly a battery taped to its side and a wire or string that had a wire loop on the end through which he had placed his finger.
Montfort's demands were relayed to the Captain of the plane, who then diverted his route and flew the plane to Havana, Cuba. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Montfort in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, on June 28, 1984, after he was charged with aircraft piracy.
Timeline of Events
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1983-09-22
American Airlines Flight 625 hijacked
Ambrose Henry Montfort allegedly hijacked American Airlines Flight 625 en route from New York to St. Thomas/St. Croix. He allegedly instructed a passenger to deliver a note to flight attendants, announced he had a bomb, and demanded the plane be flown to Cuba.
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1984-06-28
Federal arrest warrant issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Montfort in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, charging him with aircraft piracy.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:September 22, 1983
Last Updated:May 12, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:September 22, 1983
Last Updated:May 12, 2026