El Al Flight 432
The El Al Boeing 720 involved in the terrorist attack | |
| Terrorist Attack | |
|---|---|
| Date | 18 February 1969 |
| Summary | Terrorist attack |
| Site | Zurich Airport in Kloten, Switzerland |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 720-058B |
| Operator | El Al |
| Registration | 4X-ABB |
| Flight origin | Amsterdam |
| Stopover | Zurich |
| Destination | Tel Aviv |
| Passengers | 17 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | 6 |
| Survivors | 16 |
El Al Flight 432 was a Boeing 720-058B (a shortened Boeing 707-120B) that was attacked by a squad of four armed Palestinian militants, members of the Lebanese-based militant organization Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, while it was preparing for takeoff at the Zurich Airport in Kloten, Switzerland on 18 February 1969. The plane, which was on its way from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv via Zurich, was due to take off at Zurich Airport. Several of the crew members were injured during the attack; one later died of his injuries. The plane was severely damaged. A greater disaster was averted when Mordechai Rahamim, an undercover Israeli security agent stationed on the plane, opened fire at the attackers and killed the terrorist leader. Rahamim and the three surviving attackers were arrested and tried by Swiss authorities. The attackers were found guilty and given prison sentences, while Rahamim was acquitted.