David Augustus Burke was born on May 18, 1952, in Croydon, London, England, to Jamaican parents. His family later emigrated to the United States, settling in Rochester, New York. Burke’s early adult life was characterized by instability, violence, and a pattern of manipulative and aggressive behavior.

He initially worked for USAir at the Rochester airport, where he became the focus of an internal investigation into a drug-smuggling operation that allegedly moved cocaine from Jamaica to the U.S. through commercial flights. Though never formally charged, Burke was considered a suspect and was reportedly transferred to Los Angeles, California, to avoid further scrutiny.

Those who knew Burke—including former partners, neighbors, and law enforcement officials—later described him as volatile and controlling, with a documented history of domestic violence. He fathered seven children by four different women but never married, maintaining an erratic and troubled personal life.

Burke later secured employment with Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) as a ticketing agent at Los Angeles International Airport. However, in late November 1987, he was terminated for stealing $69 from a company petty cash fund. 

David Augustus Burke hijacked Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 on December 7, 1987. After being fired from USAir, he purchased a ticket for the flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco. He used his employee credentials, which he had not surrendered, to avoid security and board the plane. Burke was armed with a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver.

Once on board, he wrote a message on an airsickness bag directed at his former manager, Ray Thomson, who was also aboard the flight. It is believed that Burke shot Thomson first. The cockpit voice recorder later picked up sounds of gunshots and the pilot's attempts to communicate about the situation.

Burke then turned his weapon on the flight crew, shooting the captain and first officer. After incapacitating them, Burke caused the plane to dive towards the ground. The aircraft crashed into a hillside at a high speed, disintegrating on impact. All 43 people on board, including Burke, died in the crash.

Investigators found the parts of the handgun and Burke's notes in the wreckage, which linked him to the attack. The crash resulted in significant changes to airline security regulations, especially concerning employee credentials and access.