Hassan II Faked Death Midair

On August 16, 1972, four Royal Moroccan Air Force pilots attacked a Boeing 727 carrying Moroccan King Hassan II home from France during a coup attempt. The fighters riddled the aircraft with gunfire, killing eight passengers and injuring 40. Hassan, himself a pilot, reportedly grabbed the radio and declared, "Stop firing! The tyrant is dead!" The rebels believed him and broke off the attack, allowing the damaged jet to land safely and ending the coup attempt.

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