Indiegogo is committed to accessibility. If you have difficulty using our site, please contact support@indiegogo.com for assistance or view our accessibility notice by clicking here

This campaign is closed

58 November: First Captain Killed in Hijacking

The true story of America's first fatal skyjacking, the bungled FBI intervention, and a young widow's relentless quest for justice.

You may also be interested in

Caret Left
Caret Right
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed

58 November: First Captain Killed in Hijacking

58 November: First Captain Killed in Hijacking

58 November: First Captain Killed in Hijacking

58 November: First Captain Killed in Hijacking

58 November: First Captain Killed in Hijacking

The true story of America's first fatal skyjacking, the bungled FBI intervention, and a young widow's relentless quest for justice.

The true story of America's first fatal skyjacking, the bungled FBI intervention, and a young widow's relentless quest for justice.

The true story of America's first fatal skyjacking, the bungled FBI intervention, and a young widow's relentless quest for justice.

The true story of America's first fatal skyjacking, the bungled FBI intervention, and a young widow's relentless quest for justice.

Andrew Downs
Andrew Downs
Andrew Downs
Andrew Downs
1 Campaign |
Murfreesboro, United States
$4,086 USD 30 backers
2% of $140,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

In the early morning hours of October 4, 1971, Commander 58 November was hijacked.  It landed in Jacksonville where the FBI was waiting. The plane came to a full stop on the tarmac. Nine minutes later FBI agents opened fire, spurring the hijacker to kill everyone onboard before turning the gun on himself. 

58 November after fatal hijacking in Jacksonville. FBI agents surround the plane which is now a crime scene

The pilot's widow, Janie Downs, filed a wrongful death suit against the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover.

The trial would be heard by a former FBI agent, who refused a jury trial. The legal battles that followed would make history. They would also make life unbearable at times for the young widowed mother of two young boys. The case would launch the legal and political careers of Jim Neal, Jack Butler, Judge Gil Merritt, and Senator Fred Thompson. 

The FBI was ordered to turn over certain documents to the Federal Court Judge. Director J. Edgar Hoover and Attorney General John Mitchell refused to turn over files that would have fatally damaged the FBI's defense.

Secret FBI Hijacking Policy Manual that was under Federal Seal

The FBI used brutal intimidation and smear tactics to discourage Janie Downs from calling into question the alleged efficiency of J Edgar Hoover and his FBI. The Bureau even filed a counter suit charging that "The Pilot failed to disarm his passengers prior to boarding the plane..." 

Bullet Holes in Windshield of 58 November Where the Captain Brent Downs was Killed

These are my father’s last known words before the FBI raided his plane.

 

This 90-minute documentary will include interviews with the people who were involved, newscasts, secret files the FBI had ordered sealed, and the actual audio of the pilot, Brent Downs, trying to talk the FBI out of opening fire. 

The ordeal on the tarmac lasted less than ten minutes. My father, Brent Downs, was dead within seconds. My mother's quest for justice took four years. Now, forty years later, we are asking for your help in telling a story the FBI does not want told.

A Special Note

My father was the pilot who was killed on board 58 November. I have wanted to complete this project for most of my life. The moment in time when I knew I would complete this project was when I was 17 years old. I opened a box in our attic that contained the clothing my father was wearing when he was killed. Once I saw the blood stains and the bullet holes in his clothing I knew I had to know everything about his death that I could find.
This project is a result of that 17 year old crying in his room holding his father's shirt.

I have spent over 20 years following my father footsteps in the aviation business. I now teach and speak to Universities, Hostage Negotiation and Law Enforcement groups on how to avoid repeating this terrible event.

I have spent the last 6 years researching and gathering more than 11,000 documents from FBI, National Archive records and the Federal Courts. I have been able to obtain the actual audio tapes of my father talking to FBI agents moments before he was killed.

I have discovered facts in the case that have been hidden from the public for over 40 years.

I have recruited some of the best people in documentary film to help me with this project.

Demetria Kalodimos from Nashville owns Genuine Human Productions and is an award winning investigative journalist. She has won the Edward R Murrow Regional Award for Investigative Journalism.
Anne Cates and Alex Hall are the two who shot my trailer and have put their heart and soul into this work.

I have the expertise, the information, and the evidence to correct the official version as fabricated by the FBI more than forty years ago. I am asking for your help in telling the real story of the 58November hijacking, my mother's quest for justice, and my lifelong search for the truth.

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
Need more information
Let us know if you think this campaign contains prohibited content.

Choose your Perk

Ground Support

$1 USD
You name will appear in the credits on the website.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
1 claimed

LINE CHIEF

$25 USD
Line Chief -- Your name appear in the credits on the 58November.com website. & 58 November Pilots Ball Cap.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
1 claimed

The Pilot's Ball Cap

$25 USD
The picture of the hat is on the update tab of this site. Free shipping in US/Canada. Great quality Pilot's Ball Cap with 58 November airplane
Estimated Shipping
May 2013
4 out of 500 of claimed

Co-Pilot

$35 USD
You name in the credits on the website and 58 November T-Shirt
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
1 claimed

Fueling Desk

$50 USD
Fueling Desk -- Your name will appear in the credits in the 58November Film You receive Pilots Cap or T-Shirt from above PLUS a digital download of the film.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
3 claimed

Airport Security

$65 USD
58 November Captain's Ball Cap & T-Shirt Name in the Credits of Film & Digital Download of Film
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
0 out of 1000 of claimed

FBO Manager

$75 USD
FBO Manager -- Your name will appear in the credits on the 58November.com website. Everything from above PLUS a 58 November Postcard signed by Pilot's son, Andy Downs.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
0 out of 1000 of claimed

Tower Controler

$100 USD
Tower Controller -- Your name in the credits on the 58November.com website. Everything from above PLUS a digital copy or download of the actual ATC tapes of Captain Brent Downs trying to talk to FBI agents before they raided the plane.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
7 out of 1000 of claimed

Air Traffic Controller Chief

$150 USD
Air Traffic Control Chief -- Your name in the credits in the film. Everything from above PLUS a limited edition Limited "Remember 58 November" Pilot's ball cap.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
1 out of 1000 of claimed

Airport Director

$500 USD
Everything from above PLUS your name in the credits of the film as Airport Director PLUS a limited edition DVD with a special thank you from cast and crew for your contribution.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
1 out of 200 of claimed

Aircraft Maintance

$1,000 USD
Everything from above PLUS your name in the credits of the film as Aircraft Maintenance PLUS a signed movie poster by cast and crew.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
2 out of 150 of claimed

Captain -Associate Producer

$10,000 USD
Everything prior plus you and a guest at private screening at "Film Station" includes 2 nights at major Nashville hotel or we come to you inside US-outside requires plane ticket
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
0 out of 10 of claimed
Tags for this project

You may also be interested in

Up Caret