Chico Air Museum Explores 1961 Aircraft Hijacking Attempt
An exhibit at the Chico Air Museum reveals a little-known local story: an attempted aircraft hijacking at the Chico Municipal Airport on July 31, 1961.
Chico Municipal Airport, Ryan Avenue, ChicoPublished July 9, 2026Source: KRCR Local
Image/source material from KRCR Local.
The exhibit showcases newspaper articles and artifacts from the incident, including the revolver and switchblade used by the perpetrator, Bruce Britt Sr. Britt, a 40-year-old welder from Arkansas, attempted to hijack a Pacific Air Lines commercial airliner at Chico Municipal Airport. He was armed with a .38-caliber revolver and a folding switchblade knife. The pilot and co-pilot fought back, and the pilot was permanently blinded in the incident.
Britt was convicted of three counts of attempted murder and served 15 years in prison before being paroled.
Key Details
Location: Chico Municipal Airport
Date/time: July 31, 1961
Agencies involved: Butte County Sheriff's Office, Pacific Air Lines
Status: Exhibit on display at the Chico Air Museum
Public impact: The incident resulted in the pilot being permanently blinded and the perpetrator serving time in prison
Bruce Britt Sr.Norm Rosene (executive director of the Chico Air Museum)Sheriff Kory HoneaButte County Sheriff's OfficePacific Air Lines
Source Materials
Access the original public source materials related to this report.
