Airline passenger attacks pilots with axe

A passenger on a Norwegian commuter plane attacked both pilots and at least one passenger with an axe as the aircraft was landing today.

The pilots suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and were able to land the Kato Air Dornier 228 safely in the northern town of Bodoe.

The attacker, who was wielding a fire axe that was part of the aircraft’s emergency equipment, was arrested after it touched down, police official Bjarte Wala said. Seven passengers were on board.

“The two pilots were injured. I know that at least one passenger was also injured, but I don’t know if there were others,” Wala said.

The twin-engined aircraft – capable of carrying 16 passengers – was flying from the northern town of Narvik to Bodoe, 530 miles north of Oslo.

Wala said the attack happened as the plane was making its final approach.

“Despite their injuries, the pilots managed to land the plane safely,” said Wala. “We don’t know the extent of their injuries yet.”

Wala said he had no immediate information about a motive for the attack, the events leading up to it, or personal details about the suspect.