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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
31 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 is Ali Hawa Jamal and what was his connection to the terrorist group Ansar Allah?

👤
person
Lead #2

What is the identity of the unidentified male of Middle Eastern descent who rented vehicles and purchased communications equipment in May 1994?

🔍
evidence
Lead #3

How was the bomb constructed and concealed, and what role did the Motorola Radio P-500 play in the attack?

On July 19, 1994, Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 exploded shortly after takeoff from Colón, Panama, killing all 21 people aboard in what authorities believe was a terrorist bombing. A suspect possibly identified as Ali Hawa Jamal is believed to have carried the bomb, and evidence suggests links to the terrorist group Ansar Allah and associates who traveled through Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Lebanon. Despite decades of investigation, the identities of the primary perpetrators and the full network behind the attack remain unknown, and the case continues to seek public information to identify those responsible.

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.

📞
contact
Lead #4

What individuals in Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Lebanon were in contact with the suspects, and what was their involvement in weapons trafficking?

💡
clue
Lead #5

Why did the suspects rent two vehicles and abandon them near Tocumen Airport, and what was the significance of the stolen credit card usage pattern?

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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

📋
1994-05-27

Vehicle rental using stolen credit card

Unidentified male of Middle Eastern descent rented a Mazda 4x4 using a stolen U.S. citizen's credit card at Vantage Rent-a-Car in Panama City

📋
1994-05-28

Second vehicle rental and telephone system purchase

Same individual rented a Jeep Cherokee 4x4 and purchased a two-line telephone system using the stolen credit card

👤
1994-07-19
16:30

Flight 00901 explosion

Alas Chiricanas Airlines Flight 00901 departed France Field, Colón at approximately 4:30 p.m. CDT and exploded 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:May 12, 2026

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Case Information

Incident:May 27, 1994
Last Updated:May 12, 2026

Up to $5 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case