VRB03KT CAVOK
6th Nov 2002, 09:36
From Yahoo! News:
Wednesday November 6, 09:11 PM
Three teenaged girl prisoners forced a plane to make an emergency landing after one tried to open the aircraft's door in mid-air over country NSW.
Four police officers had to subdue the girls when a scuffle broke out and the attempt was made to open the door.
The eight-seater charter plane was being used to transport the trio, aged 13, 15 and 17, from a Childrens Court appearance in Bourke to custody in Sydney.
The flight had reached an altitude of 2,750 metres and was just south of Dubbo when the scuffle began about 11.20am (AEDT).
Police said one girl became highly agitated and a melee broke out in the small cabin of the Piper Navajo.
Mudgee Inspector Richard Brown said the girls, who were all handcuffed, lashed out at police.
"They all started playing up, they were being violent, kicking and lashing out," Insp Brown said.
"One of the girls has then taken the cover off the emergency exit handle.
"It was an all-in - although she was the one who probably caused the most fear for everybody on board because she was the one going for the handle."
"Once this happened the other girls have gone off, and basically it was a a bit of melee in the cabin of a small aircraft," he said.
Insp Brown said one girl was wielding a plaster cast, swinging it at police, windows and other objects.
The pilot immediately radioed they were having a problem and arranged an emergency landing at Mudgee.
Police said the girls had earlier faced a Childrens Court on an array of charges, including breach of bail, malicious damage, resisting police and affray.
Insp Brown said the girls had been remanded into custody at Sydney's Yasmar Juvenile Justice Centre.
It's understood two of the girls were already inmates at Yasmar.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said the girls could face federal and state charges over today's emergency.
The four police senior constables - two men and and two women - and at least one of the girls had resumed the flight to Sydney and were expected to arrive at Bankstown airport about 6.15pm.
Thank god they were handcuffed, it could have ended up far worse...
Well done to the pilot involved for the safe landing.
Wednesday November 6, 09:11 PM
Three teenaged girl prisoners forced a plane to make an emergency landing after one tried to open the aircraft's door in mid-air over country NSW.
Four police officers had to subdue the girls when a scuffle broke out and the attempt was made to open the door.
The eight-seater charter plane was being used to transport the trio, aged 13, 15 and 17, from a Childrens Court appearance in Bourke to custody in Sydney.
The flight had reached an altitude of 2,750 metres and was just south of Dubbo when the scuffle began about 11.20am (AEDT).
Police said one girl became highly agitated and a melee broke out in the small cabin of the Piper Navajo.
Mudgee Inspector Richard Brown said the girls, who were all handcuffed, lashed out at police.
"They all started playing up, they were being violent, kicking and lashing out," Insp Brown said.
"One of the girls has then taken the cover off the emergency exit handle.
"It was an all-in - although she was the one who probably caused the most fear for everybody on board because she was the one going for the handle."
"Once this happened the other girls have gone off, and basically it was a a bit of melee in the cabin of a small aircraft," he said.
Insp Brown said one girl was wielding a plaster cast, swinging it at police, windows and other objects.
The pilot immediately radioed they were having a problem and arranged an emergency landing at Mudgee.
Police said the girls had earlier faced a Childrens Court on an array of charges, including breach of bail, malicious damage, resisting police and affray.
Insp Brown said the girls had been remanded into custody at Sydney's Yasmar Juvenile Justice Centre.
It's understood two of the girls were already inmates at Yasmar.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said the girls could face federal and state charges over today's emergency.
The four police senior constables - two men and and two women - and at least one of the girls had resumed the flight to Sydney and were expected to arrive at Bankstown airport about 6.15pm.
Thank god they were handcuffed, it could have ended up far worse...
Well done to the pilot involved for the safe landing.