When the skies turn hostile, it’s the people in the cockpit who decide whether tragedy strikes or a miracle unfolds. Since the dawn of commercial aviation, countless aircraft have met misfortune, yet a select few crews have managed to wrestle their stricken planes back to safety with a blend of expertise, training, and sometimes sheer luck. Below are ten remarkable commercial airline crews who faced the most daunting crises and emerged victorious. (If you spot a missing incident that fits the criteria—no total loss of life—drop a comment!)

10. China Airlines Flight 006

Air crew: Pilot Min‑Yuan Ho, Co‑pilot Ju Yu Chang, Flight Engineer Kuo‑Win Pei, Captain Chien‑Yuan Liao, and Flight Engineer Shih Lung Su

On a night‑time nonstop run from Taipei to Los Angeles, the 747 suddenly lost power in one engine. The crew, already fatigued from an extended duty roster, made a cascade of small errors that sent the aircraft into a terrifying 30,000‑foot descent over a mere two‑and‑a‑half minutes, subjecting it to up to 5 g of force. Despite severe structural stress and a few injuries, the team managed to right the aircraft, restart the failing engine, and divert to San Francisco for a safe landing. Their ordeal prompted new regulations on crew duty‑time limits.

9. Air Canada Flight 143

Air crew: Captain Robert Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal

The infamous “Gimli Glider” incident unfolded when a 767 ran out of fuel mid‑flight due to a series of metric conversion errors and faulty gauges. With both engines dead, Captain Pearson, an experienced glider pilot, executed a flawless dead‑stick landing at the former Royal Canadian Air Force base in Gimli, Manitoba. The nose gear collapsed on touchdown, yet every passenger and crew member walked away with only minor injuries.

8. British Airways Flight 9

Air crew: Captain Eric Moody, Senior First Officer Roger Greaves and Senior Engineer Officer Barry Townley‑Freeman

Flying the London‑to‑Auckland route, the 747 inadvertently entered the ash plume of Indonesia’s Mount Galunggung. The dry ash, invisible to radar, choked all four engines and compromised the oxygen system. Captain Moody initiated a steep 6,000‑foot dive to reach breathable air, then turned toward Jakarta, gliding the powerless aircraft. Once clear of the ash, the crew managed to restart the engines and land safely, delivering a memorable announcement: “Ladies and gentlemen… we have a small problem. All four engines have stopped.”

7. American Airlines Flight 96

Air crew: Captain Bryce McCormick and First Officer Peter Whitney

During a Detroit‑to‑San Francisco flight, a faulty cargo‑bay door latch caused an explosive decompression, tearing part of the fuselage and jamming the rudder to the far right. The incident also crippled hydraulic systems and shut down the top engine. Undeterred, Capt. McCormick and FO Whitney executed a controlled emergency landing, saving all aboard. The mishap was traced back to a defective cargo‑door locking mechanism.

6. DHL OO‑DLL Transport

Air crew: Captain Eric Gennotte, First Officer Steve Michielsen and Flight Engineer Mario Rofail

While taking off from Baghdad in 2003, the A300 cargo plane was struck by an anti‑aircraft missile that obliterated the left wing engine and all hydraulic lines. With no hydraulics, the trio resorted to differential thrust—varying power between engines—to steer the aircraft. After a tense ten‑minute battle, they turned back, touched down, and used reverse thrust alone to stop, even veering into soft sand. Captain Gennotte’s tactic was inspired by United Flight 232’s captain, Al Haynes.

5. United Airlines Flight 811

Air crew: Captain David Cronin, First Officer Gregory Slader and Flight Engineer Randal Thomas

A 747‑122 bound for New Zealand suffered a catastrophic cargo‑door failure, causing explosive decompression that claimed nine lives and ignited fires in two engines. The crew descended to a breathable altitude, despite loss of oxygen equipment, and returned to Honolulu. Using only partial flaps, they achieved a successful landing.

4. Aloha Airlines Flight 243

Air crew: Captain Robert Schornstheimer and First Officer Madeline “Mimi” Tompkins

On a short hop to Honolulu, the 737 suffered a dramatic fuselage rupture that tore away the top portion of the cabin due to metal fatigue and corrosion from constant sea‑air exposure. One crew member perished and roughly 65 passengers were injured. Nevertheless, the pilots managed a controlled descent and landed safely, despite uncertainty about the front gear’s status.

3. Philippine Airlines Flight 434

Air crew: Captain Eduardo “Ed” Reyes, First Officer Jaime Herrera and Systems Engineer Dexter Comendador

An Al Qaeda operative placed a bomb on a Japan‑bound 747, detonating over Okinawa and killing the passenger directly above the device while injuring several others. The blast severed the aileron controls, rendering conventional steering impossible. The crew ingeniously used asymmetric thrust to maneuver the aircraft and performed a safe landing, showcasing extraordinary composure under fire.

2. United Airlines Flight 232

Air crew: Captain Alfred C. Haynes, First Officer William Records, Second Officer Dudley Dvorak, Flight Engineer and DC‑10 Instructor Dennis Fitch (passenger)

In 1989, a DC‑10’s tail‑engine fan blade disintegrated, destroying all three hydraulic systems. Relying on differential thrust—an idea suggested by Fitch—the crew kept the aircraft airborne long enough to reach Sioux City. The aircraft struck the runway hard, igniting fuel and killing 111 of the 296 aboard. The incident spurred regulatory changes, including mandatory child seats for infants.

1. US Airways Flight 1549

Air crew: Captain Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey B. Skiles

Shortly after departing La Guardia, the Airbus A320 collided with a flock of geese, losing both engines. With no runway within reach, Capt. Sully elected to ditch in the Hudson River. The aircraft floated, and all 155 occupants survived, earning the event the distinction of “the most successful ditching in aviation history.” The crew received the prestigious Masters Medal from the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators.

Notable Extras: Air Transat Flight 236, Azores Islands, Aug. 24, 2001

When athletes board a plane, they expect a smooth ride to the next big game. Yet history shows that some of the most promising squads have met their end soaring above the clouds. Below, the top 10 sporting airline tragedies are recounted with vivid detail, honoring the lives lost and the resilience that followed.

10 Alianza Lima: Peru Football Team

The 1987 Alianza Lima disaster unfolded on December 8 when a Peruvian Navy‑operated Fokker F27‑400M, chartered by the club, plunged into the Pacific just six miles short of its runway. Forty‑four souls—players, managers, staff, cheerleaders, and crew—were aboard; only the pilot survived. After a match, the crew reported a faulty landing‑gear indicator, prompting a fly‑by for visual confirmation. Though the gear was deemed locked, the aircraft attempted another landing, descended too low, and vanished into the ocean.

The Navy kept the investigation under wraps, delaying public knowledge until 2006. Findings blamed the pilot’s limited night‑flying experience, misreading of emergency procedures, and the aircraft’s poor mechanical state. Remarkably, the Peruvian Football Federation kept the season alive, fielding retired volunteers, youth players, and loaned athletes from a Chilean club to finish the campaign.

9 US Amateur Boxing Team

On March 14, 1980, LOT Polish Airlines Flight 007 crashed near Warsaw after a botched go‑around caused by a suspected landing‑gear light failure. All 87 aboard perished, including many members of the U.S. amateur boxing squad destined for matches in Poland and Russia. The flight had departed New York at 21:18 and, during its final approach, the crew reported gear‑light issues, elected a go‑around, and within seconds entered a steep dive, striking a tree and a historic moat before disintegrating.

Investigation blamed material defects in the jet engine shaft and turbine design flaws. Notably, future champion Johnny “Bump City” Bumphus was not on the flight and later secured a WBA Light Welterweight title, highlighting the tragic loss of promising talent.

8 University of Evansville Basketball Team

On December 13, 1977, a chartered DC‑3 carrying the entire University of Evansville basketball squad crashed just 90 seconds after take‑off in rain and fog, killing all 29 on board—including fourteen players and the head coach. One player missed the flight, only to die later in a car accident. The NTSB cited improper weight‑and‑balance calculations and failure to remove external safety locks as primary causes.

The tragedy left the university without its basketball program, prompting a somber reflection on travel safety for collegiate teams.

7 Cal Poly: Football Team

October 29, 1960 saw a twin‑engine C‑46 prop plane overloaded by 2,000 lb attempt a take‑off from Toledo Express Airport. With zero visibility and a partial left‑engine power loss, the aircraft broke apart on impact, claiming 22 lives, including sixteen players. The FAA subsequently banned take‑offs in visibility below ¼ mile or runway visual range under 2,000 ft.

The incident also contributed to NFL Hall of Fame coach John Madden’s well‑known aversion to flying, though he later clarified it stemmed from claustrophobia.

6 Wichita State: Football Team

On October 2, 1970, Wichita State’s “Gold” Martin 4‑0‑4 aircraft, carrying 36 passengers and four crew, collided with Mount Trelease after deviating from its planned route for a scenic detour. Overloaded and piloted by an unqualified captain, the plane entered a box canyon, struck trees 1,600 ft below the summit, and burst into flames, killing 31 instantly and two later.

Despite the catastrophe, the university fielded a rebuilt squad, eventually ending varsity football in 1986. A memorial, “Memorial ’70,” honors the victims each October 2.

5 Torino A.C.: Football Team

May 4, 1949, the Fiat G212CP carrying Torino A.C.’s “Grande Torino” squad crashed into the hill of Superga during a thunderstorm‑laden approach to Turin. All 31 aboard perished, including 18 players and club officials. Low cloud, poor radio aids, and navigational error contributed to the tragedy.

The loss devastated Italian football; Torino fielded its youth team for the remaining matches, while opponents also deployed junior squads. Only Sauro Tomà missed the flight due to injury, surviving as the sole team member.

4 Manchester United: Football Team

February 6, 1958, BEA Flight 609 attempted a third take‑off from Munich’s slush‑covered runway, after two aborted attempts caused by a faulty port engine. The aircraft failed to achieve lift due to slush, overran the runway, struck a fence, and the wing clipped a house. Of the 44 aboard, 23 died, including eight of Manchester United’s famed “Busby Babes.”

Initial investigations blamed the captain for not de‑icing, but later analysis confirmed slush as the fatal factor. Goalkeeper Harry Gregg heroically rescued survivors, cementing his legacy.

3 United States Figure Skating Team

February 15, 1961, Sabena Flight 548 crashed near Brussels during approach, killing all 72 aboard and a farmer on the ground. Among the dead were the entire U.S. figure‑skating team en route to the World Championships in Prague. The cause remains uncertain, though a stabilizer failure is suspected.

The disaster prompted President John F. Kennedy to issue a condolence statement. The loss of athletes, coaches, and officials halted U.S. dominance in the sport, leading to the cancellation of the 1961 World Championships.

2 Zambian National Football Team

On April 27, 1993, a military transport carrying Zambia’s national squad crashed off the coast of Gabon after an engine fire and pilot error shut down the wrong engine. All 30 aboard, including 18 players and the coach, perished. The accident stemmed from a faulty left‑engine and a misreading of an indicator light.

Zambia rebuilt the team swiftly, reaching the African Nations Cup final that year, though they fell to Nigeria. The nation mourned for seven days, honoring the fallen with state funerals.

1 Uruguayan Old Christians Club: Rugby Team

October 13, 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, a Fairchild FH‑227D, crashed into the Andes while ferrying the Old Christians Club rugby team to Chile. The aircraft clipped multiple peaks, losing both wings and the tail, before sliding into a snowbank. Of the 45 aboard, 12 died instantly, five more later, leaving 27 survivors.

Stranded at 3,600 m, the survivors endured starvation, freezing temperatures, and resorted to cannibalism. After 72 days, two trekkers—Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa—found help, leading to the rescue of the remaining 16. Their story inspired the book and film “Alive,” cementing the episode as the “Miracle in the Andes.”

These ten heartbreaking events underscore the fragile line between triumph and tragedy in sport. While the skies have claimed many promising careers, the indomitable spirit of these teams lives on, reminding us that perseverance can rise from the deepest loss.

When an aircraft meets disaster, the black box often becomes the silent witness, preserving the final words and sounds from the cockpit. In this piece we present the 10 final recordings that echo the last seconds of ten infamous crashes. The audio can be faint, garbled, and sometimes unsettling, so tune in carefully. This compilation is made possible by AircrashDB.com.

10 Final Recordings

On 31 August 1999, a Boeing 737‑204C operating as LAPA Flight 3142 attempted to depart Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires. The accident claimed 65 lives, left 17 passengers seriously hurt and many others with minor injuries, marking it as one of Argentina’s deadliest aviation tragedies.

During the take‑off roll, a warning bell rang, indicating the aircraft wasn’t properly configured. The crew, however, pressed on, unaware that the flaps were fully retracted rather than set for take‑off. The jet overran the runway, smashed through the perimeter fence, barreled onto a road, struck a car and finally collided with construction equipment and a highway median. Fuel spilled onto the hot engines and ignited a gas leak, engulfing the aircraft in fire and reducing it to wreckage.

9 Flying Tiger Line Flight 66

On 19 February 1989, a Boeing 747‑249F known as Flying Tiger Flight 66 was on a non‑directional beacon (NDB) approach to Runway 33 at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Kuala Lumpur, after a half‑hour flight from Singapore. While descending, ATC cleared the flight to “Kayell”, using the Morse code “KL”. Four ground points shared this identifier, and two radio beacons also bore the same code, creating a confusing environment for the crew.

ATC then instructed, “Tiger 66, descend two four zero zero, cleared for NDB approach runway three three.” The captain heard “descend to four zero zero” and responded, “Okay, four zero zero,” interpreting it as 400 ft above sea level—2,000 ft lower than required. The Ground Proximity Warning System issued alerts that were dismissed as false. The aircraft struck a hillside 600 ft above sea level, killing all four occupants. Proper phrasing should have been “descend and maintain two thousand four hundred feet.”

8 Adam Air Flight 574

On 1 January 2007, a Boeing 737‑4Q8 operating as Adam Air Flight 574 departed Surabaya for Manado. The aircraft vanished over the ocean; its black boxes were recovered on 28 August 2007, though larger wreckage remained elusive. All 102 souls on board perished.

The ensuing investigation uncovered widespread maintenance lapses across the airline, including a suspect rudder‑valve defect known from prior 737 incidents. Analysis of the flight data revealed the crew became preoccupied with troubleshooting the inertial reference system, inadvertently disengaging the autopilot and losing control of the aircraft.

7 Vasp Flight 168

On 8 June 1982, a Boeing 727‑212A operating as VASP Flight 168 flew from Rio de Janeiro to Fortaleza. While approaching the destination, the crew received clearance to descend from FL330 to 5,000 ft. Flying at night, the bright city lights ahead apparently disoriented the captain, who continued descending past the authorized altitude.

Despite two altitude‑alert warnings and a co‑pilot’s cautions, the aircraft kept dropping until it slammed into a mountainside at 2,500 ft, killing all 137 occupants.

6 Air Florida Flight 90

On 13 January 1982, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737, was bound from Washington National Airport to Fort Lauderdale, with a stopover in Tampa. During a failed take‑off, the plane struck the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River, crushing seven cars, ripping 97 ft of guard rail, and then plunging through ice into the river.

The crash occurred less than two miles from the White House, within sight of the Jefferson Memorial and the Pentagon. Of the 74 passengers and five crew, all but four passengers and a single flight attendant perished.

5 Delta Airlines Flight 191

On 2 August 1985, a Lockheed L‑1011‑385‑1 TriStar operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 191 was on routine approach to Dallas‑Fort Worth International Airport when a microburst‑induced wind shear slammed into the aircraft, causing it to crash. The disaster claimed eight of the eleven crew members, 126 of the 152 passengers, and one person on the ground, totaling 135 fatalities.

4 Northwest Airlines Flight 255

On 16 August 1987, a McDonnell Douglas MD‑82 operating as Northwest Airlines Flight 255 departed Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft rolled side‑to‑side at under 50 ft altitude, stalled, and lost a wing after striking a light pole, then slammed into an Avis rental‑car building and finally crashed inverted onto Middlebelt Road, igniting fuel and bursting into flames.

3 United Airlines Flight 232

On 19 July 1989, a Douglas DC‑10 operating as United Airlines Flight 232 was en route from Denver to Chicago when its number‑2 engine suffered an uncontained failure. Shrapnel ripped through all three hydraulic systems, leaving the crew with only thrust‑lever control for pitch and yaw.

The crew managed an emergency landing at Sioux City, Iowa, but the aircraft broke apart on impact, killing 111 of the 285 passengers and one of the eleven crew members.

2 Japan Airlines Flight 123

On 12 August 1985, a Boeing 747‑SR46 operating as Japan Airlines Flight 123 departed Tokyo’s Haneda Airport for Osaka. Twelve minutes after take‑off, a faulty bulkhead—improperly repaired after a 1978 tail‑strike—failed, causing explosive decompression that destroyed all four hydraulic systems and rendered the aircraft uncontrollable.

The original tail‑strike had damaged the rear pressure bulkhead. Boeing’s repair used two separate doubler plates with inconsistent rivet rows instead of a single continuous plate with three rows, reducing fatigue resistance by roughly 70 %.

When the compromised bulkhead finally gave way, the sudden loss of pressure ruptured every hydraulic line, leaving the pilots powerless to steer the doomed aircraft, which later crashed into Mount Takamagahara, killing 520 of the 529 on board.

1 Delta Airlines Flight 1141

On 31 August 1988, a Boeing 727 operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 1141 departed Jackson, Mississippi, for Dallas‑Fort Worth and onward to Salt Lake City. Shortly after take‑off from Dallas‑Fort Worth, the plane crashed, killing two cabin crew members and twelve of the 101 passengers, for a total of fourteen deaths.

One passenger, after exiting through a fuselage breach, attempted re‑entry, suffered burn injuries, and died eleven days later. The cockpit voice recorder captured extensive conversation about the recorder itself and unrelated topics, violating sterile‑cockpit regulations that require silence except for flight‑related discussion.

With an estimated 22.2 million domestic and global flights in 2021 and an average of two million people flying the friendly skies each day, it’s only natural that strict guidelines have been put in place by the TSA. They govern what can be brought on board and placed in checked bags to ensure everyone’s safety during the flight.

Aside from passenger and crew safety, there are also agricultural guidelines in place to prevent any animal, pest, or food products from being brought into a country that could carry disease or harm the ecosystems.

Unfortunately, in any environment with rules or guidelines, there will naturally be a handful of rule-breakers who believe that they will either not get caught or that their plan to sneak a prohibited item past officials is completely fool-proof.

This list contains the stories of 10 bizarre things that airline passengers have tried to hide in their luggage, assuming they would not be caught.

10 Albino Alligator

Albino alligators are very rare, with fewer than 200 living in the world. Additionally, their lack of pigmentation puts them at a severe disadvantage in the wild, given that they have no way to camouflage themselves, can quickly die from overexposure to the sun, and have poor eyesight.

Sadly, their rarity also makes them a target for animal smugglers, as they can be sold for anywhere between $20,000 and $2 million.

On September 25, 2022, a 42-year-old American man traveling from Germany to Singapore decided to bring one of these rare animals along on his travels. Naturally, customs officers were quite surprised when a 3-foot (1-meter) albino alligator was detected in his suitcase during a security checkpoint.

With the exception of its nostrils, the alligator was completely wrapped in cling wrap and duct tape. Luckily, the alligator was alive despite being in poor health. Customs officers, along with a veterinarian, worked to free the alligator, and it was then taken to a reptile sanctuary.

The man’s cell phone was confiscated, and he was also assessed a fine. Legal and criminal proceedings into the matter are still ongoing.^[1]

9 Six-Day-Old Newborn

Forty-two-year-old Jennifer Talbot was scheduled to board a flight from Manila, Philippines, to Columbus, Ohio, on September 4, 2019. However, little did anyone know she had carefully concealed a precious piece of cargo—a six-day-old baby boy.

Talbot had placed the infant in an oversized carry-on bag and managed to get through immigration but was eventually stopped by officials before boarding the plane. That’s when the baby was discovered.

Talbot originally claimed the baby was her nephew, although she had no documentation to prove her claim. Talbot later gave officials an affidavit, supposedly from the infant’s mother, that gave her consent to travel with the newborn. However, the affidavit had not been signed by the baby’s mother.

Talbot was arrested, and the baby was placed in the Social Welfare Department’s custody. Talbot was charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.^[2]

8 African Fox Head

On September 12, 2019, a mother and daughter traveling from Senegal decided to bring a rather unusual “gift” with them on their trip to the United States.

When they arrived at Philadelphia International Airport, they were stopped after U.S. Customs and Border Protection discovered an 8-inch (20-centimeter) African fox skull in their baggage, completely intact with hair and teeth.

The travelers stated that the skull was meant to be a gift for their cousin, who planned to use it to “ward off evil spirits.” However, the women ultimately decided to leave their “gift” with customs officials.^[3]

7 Missile Launcher

On July 29, 2019, an active military service member was returning home to the United States from Kuwait. However, he decided to bring something back with him that gave TSA officials quite the scare—a missile launcher.

The military weapon was discovered by TSA officials at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The passenger was detained for questioning and simply stated that he brought the missile launcher along with him to take back home as a souvenir.

Thankfully, the launcher was not live and was able to be safely disposed of by the state fire marshal.^[4]

6 One-Month-Old Leopard Cub

Leopards in both Asia and Africa have been listed as endangered due to habitat loss, illegal wildlife trading, trophy hunting, and the ceremonial use of their skins. While smuggling these animals is illegal, one man was persistent in his efforts and tried to conceal a one-month-old leopard cub in his luggage on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, to Chennai, India.

However, the 45-year-old passenger’s plans were quickly foiled when his tiny traveling companion began crying out as he arrived in Chennai on February 2, 2019. When officials became suspicious, the man tried to rush out of the terminal and avoid questioning. When his luggage was opened, officials discovered the 2.2-pound (1-kilogram) leopard cub concealed in a plastic grocery basket inside.

The tiny cub was naturally in shock but was bottle-fed and assessed by a veterinarian before being transferred to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai.

The case was forwarded to the state’s wildlife crime bureau to determine if the passenger may have been part of a larger smuggling ring.^[5]

5 Gun in Raw Chicken

TSA guidelines state that unloaded firearms may be put in checked baggage as long as they are placed in a locked container and declared at the ticket counter. TSA also allows food items such as meat and vegetables to be transported in either carry-on or checked bags as long as the items are packed with ice or frozen ice packs.

However, one daring passenger who was traveling to Haiti decided to ignore both rules and tried to camouflage a gun in a bizarre way—stuffing it into a raw chicken. Fortunately, his “stuffed bird” was detected by TSA agents at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Florida International Airport on September 27, 2022.

No specific details were given regarding the passenger or charges, but Homeland Security stated this incident was an “ongoing criminal case which has been accepted for prosecution.”^[6]

4 Egyptian Mummy Parts

On February 24, 2019, a passenger visiting from Belgium attempted to conceal parts of two Egyptian mummies inside a speaker packed within their luggage. However, this cunning plan was derailed when an X-ray monitor detected images of mummified body parts—two feet, two legs, the lower part of a left hand, an arm, and part of a torso.

The remains were intercepted by customs authorities at the Cairo International Airport and then examined by an archaeological committee that confirmed they were authentic. The confiscated body parts were then sent to an Egyptian museum so they could be restored.^[7]

3 Cocaine Inside Fried Fish

While illegal drugs are never permitted on an airline (or anywhere else, for that matter), one 38-year-old female passenger believed she could outsmart authorities with the perfect plan to smuggle cocaine inside her luggage by placing it inside fried blowfish.

The female passenger was traveling from Jamaica to Miami, Florida. However, when she arrived at Miami International Airport on June 13, 2015, an x-ray of her luggage revealed something even more strange than traveling with fried fish.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers noticed that some of the fish were bulkier than others, and some had stitch marks on their stomachs, indicating they had been sewn together. They then discovered 2.3 pounds (1 kilogram) of cocaine inside the fish.

The cocaine was seized, and the woman was arrested.^[8]

2 $770K in Cash

Forty-eight-year-old Abdulkarim Altareb was flying from New York to Qatar on March 1, 2015. However, when customs officers asked Altareb to declare the amount of cash he was carrying, he lied, stating he had $6,500.

An additional examination of his luggage was done, and more than $770,000 was discovered. Altareb had concealed $50 and $100 bills in boxes of Alka-Seltzer, Thera-Flu, Dove soap, Band-Aids, and Splenda.

When Altareb was later questioned about the money by Homeland Security, he claimed that it belonged to his family and that they intended to build in Yemen.

Altareb was charged with “bulk cash smuggling.” It was later determined that Altareb ran an unlicensed money transfer business and had committed other types of fraud on food stamp applications, tax returns, and citizenship applications. On May 10, 2017, Altareb was sentenced to four years and three months in prison.^[9]

1 22 Pounds of Illegal Meat

On February 4, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection made quite an unusual discovery during a baggage exam at Dallas Fort Worth Airport.

While a woman traveling from Vietnam provided a negative customs declaration, she was, in fact, hiding something-—22 pounds (10 kilograms)of illegal animal meat and body parts. The meat was discovered after being asked to take her luggage for a baggage exam.

The woman was not charged, and all the meat was destroyed.^[10]