In contrast to past hijacking situations, Mr Learmount said it was unusual that police with weapons appeared in sight of the plane's cockpit.

BBC: How to negotiate with hijackers

The Lexington Institute's Loren Thompson says those mishaps usually result from a simple break in the line-of-sight connection between a plane and the satellite that controls it--often when one of the aircraft's own wings maneuvers into the path of the signal.

FORBES: Magazine Article

As he, his assistant coaches and his players ambled on to the team plane after their victory in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday night, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin beheld a sight that promised a raucous and rowdy flight home.

WSJ: For Giants, A Raucous Ride Home