The person at the center of this case
American Airlines Flight 626 passengers and crew
Cold Case · Open
41 years waiting · since 1984
ISHMAIL MUSLIM ALI
Justice for American Airlines Flight 626 passengers and crew — the trail went cold in 1984, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1How did Ali conceal a handgun in the aircraft bathroom while in custody as a prisoner transfer?
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location
Lead #2Is Ali still residing in Cuba with his wife and children, and has he maintained a low profile since 1984?
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evidence
Lead #3What security lapses allowed a maximum-security prisoner serving eight life sentences to access a weapon aboard a commercial flight?
On December 31, 1984, Ishmail Muslim Ali, a prisoner being transferred from St. Croix to New York, allegedly hijacked American Airlines Flight 626 using a hidden handgun and diverted 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, believed to be living in Cuba with his family, and was federally charged with aircraft piracy in 1985.
Case
#676
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); U.S. 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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person
Lead #4What was Ali's motivation for the hijacking—escape, political asylum, or other factors?
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 hijacked
Prisoner Ishmail Muslim Ali used a hidden handgun in the aircraft bathroom to hijack the plane en route from St. Croix to JFK and diverted it to Havana, Cuba.
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1985-04-17
Federal arrest warrant issued
Ali was charged with aircraft piracy in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 31, 1984
Last Updated:April 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:December 31, 1984
Last Updated:April 29, 2026