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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suspect
Lead #1How did Ali conceal a handgun in the aircraft bathroom while in custody as a prisoner?
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location
Lead #2Is Ali still residing in Cuba with his family, and has he maintained a low profile since 1984?
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evidence
Lead #3What security procedures were in place for prisoner transfers on commercial aircraft in 1984, and were they inadequate?
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 and is believed to be living in Cuba with his family, making this case an ongoing international matter.
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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contact
Lead #4Did Ali have outside assistance in planning or executing the hijacking?
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 in transit, allegedly used a hidden handgun to hijack the aircraft from St. Croix bound for New York and diverted it 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:May 11, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:December 31, 1984
Last Updated:May 11, 2026