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21 passengers and crew members of Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901

The person at the center of this case

21 passengers and crew members of Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901

Case
#313
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Cold Case · Open
32 years waiting · since 1994

BOMBING OF ALAS CHIRICANAS AIRLINES FLIGHT 00901

Justice for 21 passengers and crew members of Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 — the trail went cold in 1994, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

🎯
suspect
Lead #1

Who was Ali Hawa Jamal and what was his connection to the terrorist group Ansar Allah or its allied organizations?

🔍
evidence
Lead #2

What was the nature of the bomb and how was it concealed aboard the aircraft with a Motorola Radio P-500?

🎯
suspect
Lead #3

Who were the unidentified males of Middle Eastern descent who rented vehicles and purchased communications equipment before the bombing?

On July 19, 1994, Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 departed from Colón, Panama and exploded shortly after takeoff, killing all 21 people on board in what authorities suspect was a terrorist bombing. A suspected bomb carrier, possibly identified as Ali Hawa Jamal, was among the deceased, and investigators believe the attack was linked to the terrorist group Ansar Allah or allied organizations. The case remains unsolved, with authorities seeking information about unidentified male suspects who conducted suspicious pre-attack activities including renting vehicles and purchasing communications equipment using a stolen credit card.

Case
#313
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

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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 #4

Why were two rental vehicles abandoned near Tocumen Airport, and what was their intended purpose in the attack planning?

📞
contact
Lead #5

What individuals linked to weapons traffickers were in contact with the suspects, and in which countries (Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Lebanon) were they located?

Have information about any of these leads?

Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.

Official wording

Source Narrative

Unknown Suspect(s) Panama July 19, 1994 The FBI is seeking information on the bombing of Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 on July 19, 1994, or any of the suspicious activity described. At approximately 4:30 p.m.

Central Daylight Time (CDT), Flight 00901 departed from France Field, Colón, Panama, with a destination of Panama City, Panama. The flight exploded shortly after takeoff, killing all 21 people on board.

Authorities are seeking information that may pertain to possible suspect(s) and the crime that occurred aboard this flight. All deceased passengers and crew were identified except for one body, which has possibly been identified as Ali Hawa Jamal.

He is suspected of carrying the bomb aboard the aircraft. According to reports, on May 27, 1994, an unidentified male of Middle Eastern descent, used the stolen credit card of a U.S.

citizen to rent a Mazda 4x4 at a Vantage Rent-a-Car located in Panama City, Panama. The next day the same unidentified individual called the car rental agency and stated he wanted to rent a second car, a Jeep Cherokee 4x4, as his friend was using the initial car that was rented.

The unknown individual charged both cars to the stolen credit card. Both cars were later found abandoned near Tocumen Airport in Panama City, Panama.

On May 28, 1994, it was further reported that possibly the same unknown male, utilizing the same stolen credit card, purchased a two-line telephone system from a Panamanian business. The individual possibly identified as Ali Hawa Jamal, had a Motorola Radio P-500 with him during the Alas Chiricanas Airlines flight.

It is unknown if the unidentified males shown in the photos above, were associates of Ali Hawa Jamal. These unknown males are believed to have traveled to Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Lebanon.

It is alleged that the unknown males were in contact with individuals that have been linked to weapons traffickers. The terrorist group Ansar Allah expressed support for the bombing through multiple media outlets.

It is suspected that the attack was linked to a terrorist group or groups allied with Ansar Allah's political beliefs.

Timeline of Events

📋
1994-05-27

Vehicle rental begins

Unidentified male of Middle Eastern descent uses stolen U.S. credit card to rent Mazda 4x4 at Vantage Rent-a-Car in Panama City

📋
1994-05-28

Second vehicle rental and equipment purchase

Same individual rents Jeep Cherokee 4x4 and purchases two-line telephone system using stolen credit card

👤
1994-07-19
16:30

Flight 00901 explosion

Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 departs France Field, Colón at approximately 4:30 p.m. CDT and explodes shortly after takeoff, killing all 21 people on board

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:May 27, 1994
Last Updated:September 9, 2026

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Case Information

Incident:May 27, 1994
Last Updated:September 9, 2026

Up to $5 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case