Gorenko is to be flown out in the C141a Starlifter (ser. 64-0624; C/N 300-6037, 437th MAW) that is seen at the airport. On Thursday 12 July, 1984, that aircraft was destroyed in a fatal accident shortly after take-off from Sigonella Naval Airfield in Sicily. No. 3 engine experienced an uncontained failure. Debris was ejected which caused no. 4 engine to also fail. Debris also entered the cargo compartment, starting a fire in a pallet containing paint. The cargo fire produced thick, toxic smoke which made visual control of the aircraft extremely difficult. The aircraft entered a steep bank and crashed within 198 seconds of takeoff. All 8 crew members and the single passenger on board were killed.
Although the novel is set in the American embassy in Paris, the film moves the action to Beirut.
Chuck Connors (Keston) & Richard Roundtree (Dick Shannon) both played in the 1977 tv mini-series "Roots".