Incident Overview

Date: Friday 8 February 2008
Aircraft Type: British Aerospace 3201 Jetstream 32EP
Owner/operator: Air New Zealand, lsf Air National
Registration Number: ZK-ECN
Location: Christchurch International Airport (CHC) – ÿ New Zealand
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 9
Component Affected: Aircraft ControlsAircraft Controls
Category: Unlawful Interference
Narrative
A New Zealand domestic flight, Air New Zealand Link Flight 2279, experienced a hijacking event at Christchurch International Airport. A Somali woman seated in seat 1A, demanding a flight to Australia, initiated the incident by pulling a knife and attempting to control the aircraft. She claimed to have bombs and demanded the pilots turn the plane to Australia. The pilot responded by attempting to disarm her, resulting in a turn and loss of balance. The captain then wrestled the woman to the floor, and police apprehended her. The incident involved a hijacking attempt.A New Zealand domestic flight, Air New Zealand Link Flight 2279, experienced a hijacking event at Christchurch International Airport. A Somali woman seated in seat 1A, demanding a flight to Australia, initiated the incident by pulling a knife and attempting to control the aircraft. She claimed to have bombs and demanded the pilots turn the plane to Australia. The pilot responded by attempting to disarm her, resulting in a turn and loss of balance. The captain then wrestled the woman to the floor, and police apprehended her. The incident involved a hijacking attempt.

Description

Air New Zealand Link Flight 2279 departed Blenheim (BHE) about 07:00 on a domestic service to Christchurch (CHC). A Somali woman, sitting in seat 1A directly behind the forward bulkhead, pulled a knife and entered the flight deck. She demanded the pilots to take the flight to Australia. She reportedly also claimed to have bombs with her. Two of the passengers tried to calm the woman. When the plane came into land at Christchurch International Airport, the woman allegedly started moving the aircraft controls. The pilots made a turn and the hijacker lost balance. After landing at Christchurch the captain then confronted the woman and wrestled her to the floor. The co-pilot helped the captain to disarm the woman, who was then arrested by police.

Primary Cause

Hijacking attemptHijacking attempt

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