Pilot praises first officer after attempted hijack ordeal

The Air National captain injured after being attacked by a passenger during an attempted hijack has praised his first officer for landing the plane in what he described as a life-threatening situation.
Asha Abdille, 33, is accused of hijacking the Air New Zealand flight enroute from Blenheim to Christchurch on Friday. She also faces charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and injuring with intent.
(One of the passengers was from India).
Ms Abdille appeared in Christchurch District Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody to a psychiatric hospital, under the Mentally Impaired Persons Act. She will reappear in court later in February.
Ms Abdille hid her face during the two-minute hearing. She was wearing a blue hooded top and her left hand was substantially bandaged.
The captain remains in Christchurch Hospital where he has undergone surgery on both hands for stab wounds. He was in a comfortable condition on Saturday.
The first officer was discharged from hospital on Friday after receiving stitches for a stab wound to his foot. Another passenger was also treated for minor injuries.
The flight was operated by Air National on behalf of Air New Zealand.
On Saturday, Air National released a statement from the pilots in which they say intuition, training and experience were essential as the drama unfolded.The captain thanked his first officer "for his good work in flying and landing the aircraft in what was a life-threatening situation.
"His professionalism allowed me to focus on managing the overall situation and dealing with the offender."
The names of the victims have been suppressed.
Media applications to film and photograph Ms Abdille were refused by the presiding Justices of the Peace, who overruled submissions that it was in the public interest to see her face.
The attacker demanded the pilots fly the plane to Australia and told them she had two bombs on board.
General manager for short-haul airlines, Bruce Parton, says though the incident is a one-off, it has given Air New Zealand cause to thoroughly review its safety and security procedures on regional domestic flights.
09/02/08 Radio New Zealand, New Zealand

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Categories: Foreign Feb 2008, Safety Feb 2008