Between 1967 and 1972, more than 300 commercial airplanes were hijacked worldwide, with over 130 of those incidents taking place in the United States. The most infamous hijacking from this period is that of D.B. Cooper, who in late 1971 hijacked a plane, demanded $200,000, and after receiving the ransom, leapt out of the aircraft mid-flight, disappearing without a trace. While Cooper’s story has become a legendary true crime tale, it remains incomplete—there’s no conclusion or resolution to his story.
In contrast, the story of Martin McNally offers one of the most extraordinary and lesser-known chapters in American criminal history. Just six months after the Cooper incident, McNally hijacked an American Airlines flight departing from St. Louis, demanding and receiving $500,000 before jumping out of the plane’s rear with the money. His incredible story is now brought to light in the documentary thriller AMERICAN SKYJACKER, where McNally himself recounts his astonishing criminal journey—featuring multiple skyjackings, failed prison escapes, and tumultuous love stories.
Produced independently by Pegalo Pictures, this documentary is an extension of their popular podcast. It combines interviews with McNally and other key figures, cinematic reenactments, and archival news footage to tell his compelling story.
AMERICAN SKYJACKER is written, directed, and produced by Eli Kooris and Joshua Shaffer. Cinematography is handled by Andrew Aiello and Chris Jones, with editing by Shaffer and David Tillman. Casting is by Hailey Giles and Stefanie Seifer, and the soundtrack is composed by Jasha Klebe. The film is a Pegalo Pictures production.
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