The person at the center of this case
21 passengers and crew of Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901
Cold Case · Open
32 years waiting · since 1994
BOMBING OF ALAS CHIRICANAS AIRLINES FLIGHT 00901
Justice for 21 passengers and crew of Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 — the trail went cold in 1994, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Who is Ali Hawa Jamal and what was his connection to the unidentified males of Middle Eastern descent involved in the vehicle rentals and equipment purchases?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What was the significance of the two-line telephone system purchased on May 28, 1994, and the Motorola Radio P-500 found with the suspected bomb carrier?
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contact
Lead #3What individuals linked to weapons traffickers were the unknown males in contact with, and in which countries (Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Lebanon) did they conduct operations?
On July 19, 1994, Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 exploded shortly after takeoff from Colón, Panama, killing all 21 people aboard in what is believed to be a terrorist bombing. One unidentified body has been possibly identified as Ali Hawa Jamal, suspected of carrying the bomb, with evidence suggesting links to the terrorist group Ansar Allah and associates with international weapons traffickers. Despite over three decades of investigation, the identities of the primary suspects and the full network behind the attack remain unknown, and authorities continue seeking information on suspicious activity in the weeks before the bombing.
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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 were both rental vehicles abandoned near Tocumen Airport, and does this indicate the suspects' planned escape route or method?
👤
person
Lead #5Can the unidentified males shown in the composite sketches and photographs be identified through international law enforcement databases or witness testimony?
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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
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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
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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
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1994-07-19
16:30Flight 00901 departs and explodes
Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 departs France Field, Colón at approximately 4:30 p.m. CDT with destination Panama City; 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:October 22, 2026
Up to $5 Reward
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Case Information
Incident:May 27, 1994
Last Updated:October 22, 2026
Up to $5 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case