The person at the center of this case
Ishmail Muslim Ali (fugitive)
Cold Case · Open
41 years waiting · since 1984
ISHMAIL MUSLIM ALI
Justice for Ishmail Muslim Ali (fugitive) — the trail went cold in 1984, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1How did Ali obtain and conceal a handgun in the aircraft bathroom during prisoner transfer?
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location
Lead #2What circumstances allowed the hijacking to succeed, and how was the aircraft secured after diversion to Havana?
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person
Lead #3Is Ali still residing in Cuba, and does he maintain contact with any individuals in the United States?
On December 31, 1984, Ishmail Muslim Ali, a prisoner being transferred from St. Croix to New York, allegedly used a hidden handgun to hijack American Airlines Flight 626 and divert it to Havana, Cuba. Ali was serving eight life sentences for murdering eight tourists in St. Croix at the time of the hijacking. He remains a fugitive wanted for aircraft piracy, believed to be living in Cuba with his family.
Case
#676
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.
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suspect
Lead #4What additional crimes or activities has Ali been involved in since fleeing to Cuba in 1984?
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: Ishmail Muslim Ali is wanted for his alleged involvement in the December 31, 1984, hijacking of American Airlines Flight 626 en route from St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, to John F.
Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York. Ali, who was aboard the plane as a prisoner being transferred from the islands to a prison in New York, allegedly used a handgun hidden in the bathroom of the plane to hijack the plane to Havana, Cuba.
At the time of the crime, Ali was serving eight life sentences for the murders of eight tourists in St. Croix.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Ali in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, on April 17, 1985, after he was charged with aircraft piracy. Remarks: Ali may reside in Cuba with his wife and children.
Timeline of Events
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1984-12-31
American Airlines Flight 626 Hijacking
Ishmail Muslim Ali, a prisoner aboard Flight 626 en route from St. Croix to JFK Airport, allegedly used a handgun hidden in the aircraft bathroom to hijack the plane to Havana, Cuba.
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1985-04-17
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, charging Ali with aircraft piracy.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 31, 1984
Last Updated:October 30, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:December 31, 1984
Last Updated:October 30, 2026