Narrative:
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.
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 8 February 2008 |
| Type: |  British Aerospace 3201 Jetstream 32EP |
| Operating for: | Air New Zealand |
| Leased from: | Air National |
| Registration: | ZK-ECN |
| MSN: | 967 |
| First flight: | 1992 |
| Engines: | 2 Garrett TPE331-12UAR-702H |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 9 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Location: | Christchurch International Airport (CHC) ( New Zealand)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Blenheim-Woodbourne Airport (BHE/NZWB), New Zealand |
| Christchurch International Airport (CHC/NZCH), New Zealand | |
| Flightnumber: | NZ2279 |
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.
Classification:
HijackSources:
» Pilots stabbed in hijack bid (ONE News, 8-2-2008)Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Blenheim-Woodbourne Airport to Christchurch International Airport as the crow flies is 244 km (153 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Blenheim-Woodbourne Airport to Christchurch International Airport as the crow flies is 244 km (153 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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