ADST’s Oral Histories has a great interview with Thomas Boyatt, a Political Officer with the US Department of State who was enroute back to his posting when his aircraft was hijacked. The terrorists had the aircraft fly to Damascus, Syria where Boyatt was able to use his diplomatic skills.

Leila Khaled and Salim Issawi, had the plane fly to Damascus, where they forced all the passengers off the aircraft before they blew up the front of the aircraft. The interview provides great insight into the terrorist hijacking and the calmness this American Diplomat possessed.

http://adst.org/2015/08/the-pflp-hijacking-of-twa-840/