News Story

30 August 2008 18:02 BST

NZ pilot stabbed during flight

Friday, 08 Feb 2008 12:13

The incident took place on a flight from Blenheim to Christchurch

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A woman passenger stabbed a pilot and threatened to blow up a New Zealand commuter plane mid-flight, police have said.

During the flight the woman is reported to have stabbed one of the two pilots and tried to take control of the small Jetstream plane.

The aircraft was flying from Blenheim to Christchurch when the incident took place.

Around 20 minutes into the flight the woman apparently attacked the pilots while armed with a knife, demanding to be taken to Australia.

Police boarded the flight upon its landing in Christchurch and arrested the 33-year-old woman from Somalia.

She was subsequently charged with hijacking and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear at a Christchurch court on Sunday.

The pilots were taken to hospital but their wounds are not believed to be life-threatening. None of the seven passengers are reported to have been hurt.

Canterbury district commander superintendent told Reuters that a bomb disposal squad was sent in to examine the plane upon its landing but nothing was found.

All flights in and out of Christchurch airport were cancelled for three hours following the incident. End of story

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NZ pilot stabbed during flight

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