Original subtitles

NARRATOR: A flight to the coast of Bulgaria turns into a nightmare.

(dramatic music plays)

- FLIGHT ATTENDANT: (gasps) - HIJACKER: Sit down!

Unless we fly to Vienna, I will kill you.

NARRATOR: A pilot finds himself negotiating

with armed hijackers at 13,000 feet.

I saw the guy with knife. I was shocked.

Stay calm. We want to help you.

NARRATOR: The pilots must stay one step ahead of the violent hijackers.

- Do not get in our way! - We should turn.

I thought that they would kill me.

- (unintelligible yelling) - FLIGHT ATTENDANT: (groaning in pain)

NARRATOR: The crew needs the hijackers to believe they are landing in Vienna.

- Their plan makes history. - They have to turn off the lights.

- At the airport? - No, no, no. The whole city.

- (dramatic sting) - (airplane engine roars)

MALE PILOT: Mayday. Mayday.

- (storm sounds) - (unintelligible radio chatter)

MALE PILOT 2: Pull up!

- (unintelligible radio chatter) - (dramatic theme music plays)

(music crescendos)

(gentle music plays)

Some candy?

NARRATOR: Balkan Bulgarian Airlines Flight 013

has just left Sofia for the Black Sea resort town of Varna.

That was probably the most popular domestic flight back at the time

'cause it takes tourists to the most popular destinations

at the northern part of the Black Sea.

(gentle music continues)

Weather looks good. We'll hold at this altitude

until we reach Delta Whiskey November.

NARRATOR: Plamen Stalev is at the controls of tonight's flight.

He's been with the airline for three years.

It was not a challenging flight. I did many flights to Varna.

And it was a normal airport, nothing special.

Maintaining one-three-zero and...

Your speed's a little low.

NARRATOR: Check Captain Ilya Lalov is the other pilot. He's training Stalev.

That was one of his last flights before becoming a captain.

NARRATOR: It's just after 6:15.

Valentin Ivanov and Lachezar Ivanov are amongst the passengers traveling to Varna.

- (unintelligible plane chatter) - (suspenseful music plays)

She's coming. She's coming. (in Slovenia) Spakojno. Spakojno.

NARRATOR: Valentina Valya Yordanova is the only flight attendant on board.

(suspenseful music builds)

I came to the passengers who shouted at me...

- ...to help them. - He's sick. Please help.

- VALENTINA: (gasps) - LACHEZAR: Sit down!

VALENTINA: But they pushed me beside them. Then they pulled the knife.

This all happened in a fraction of a second.

(music intensifies)

Beside me, two hijackers were keeping two passengers in front of them as hostages.

Unless we fly to Vienna, I will kill you.

They told me that they want to fly to Vienna.

Otherwise, they will kill me and passengers.

We can let the pilots know.

I was trying to talk with them to calm them.

We'll fly to Vienna. You don't have to hurt anyone.

(music builds)

This is my most important duty; to calm the atmosphere.

Hey!

We are flying to Vienna.

If anyone tries to stop us, they will be killed.

He was walking through the aisle, with the knife,

and he was threatening the passengers.

We are just out of prison and have nothing to lose.

We will break windows and we will crash this plane, if we have to.

Do not get in our way!

Understand?

45 minutes to touchdown. We are right on schedule.

NARRATOR: In the cockpit, the pilots have no idea

about the dangerous situation unfolding behind them.

We were, uh, 15 minutes after takeoff.

The flight was fine. Everything was in order.

We need to talk to the pilots.

Then you need to let me go to the front of the plane.

No! Talk to the pilots now!

NARRATOR: The only way to communicate with the cockpit

is through an intercom located at the front of the plane.

Unfortunately, they refused to let me go.

Somebody pick up the white phone.

When the pilots answer, just tell them what's happening.

They were so frightened that nobody wanted to do this.

Someone has to go to the cockpit and tell the pilots.

(dramatic music plays)

You. You go.

They must go to Vienna. Tell them.

- (knock at cockpit door) - PLAMEN: No. Wait.

I told him, "Don't open the door." We have to check

who is knocking at the door, security reason, of course.

We saw that it's a man with a military uniform,

and that's why we take decision to allow him to come inside.

There are four hijackers onboard armed with knives.

(music intensifies)

So initially, I thought that it's a joke and

I can't believe that this happened.

They're holding hostages and insist we fly to Vienna.

Vienna?

Tell them we will do what they want.

(music swells)

I don't think we can make Vienna.

Not without more fuel. Maybe suggest a closer alternative?

NARRATOR: The plane is carrying enough fuel

for the one-hour trip from Sofia to Varna.

But Vienna is more than 550 miles in the opposite direction,

...more than two hours away.

Planes usually carry a specific amount of fuel that is just enough

to take the plane to its intended destination,

plus a little bit of a reserve for an alternate airport.

So in that case, the pilots couldn't just decide to fly to Vienna.

(suspenseful music slowly begins)

- They will do what you ask. Just be calm. - Okay.

NARRATOR: Gary Noesner is the former chief of the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit.

He has led negotiations during some of the world's most notorious hijackings.

If their primary objective is to go from "A to B"

then maybe we are at an advantage to getting them to "B"

and then dealing with it there.

Why don't I deal with the hijackers and you take over the controls?

One of the key requirements of the pilot's job

is to maintain his own self-control, to be calm, professional.

That will minimize the hijackers becoming more demonstrative and threatening.

Hello. My name is Plamen Stalev, one of the pilots in the cockpit.

I urge the hijackers to remain calm and not to harm anyone.

We have been informed of your demands and we will do what you ask.

You see? We're going to Vienna.

It is very important for me to try to assure them

that they will achieve their aim and they will land at, at Vienna Airport.

What about Istanbul? Can we make it?

NARRATOR: If they refuse the hijackers' request

to fly to Vienna, passengers could die.

If they do agree to divert, they'll likely run out of fuel.

- The pilots need another option. - We can do it.

(sighs) Okay. Let's see if they'll accept the alternative.

NARRATOR: The hijacked Balkan Bulgarian Airlines flight

is halfway to Varna on Bulgaria's east coast.

If they do not fly to Vienna, you will all die! You, you will die first.

- (soft panting) - (dramatic music bellows)

NARRATOR: In hopes of calming the hijackers,

Plamen Stalev must now act as hostage negotiator.

When I enter in the passenger cabin, I realized that the situation is serious.

NARRATOR: A small mistake could cost lives.

I saw the guy with knife. I was shocked.

I think you have to be very clear, and in a detailed way advise the hijackers,

say, "Listen, you know, this plane is not capable of flying

all the way to Vienna unless a few things happen."

Stay calm. We want to help you.

Vienna is a two-hour flight and we don't have much fuel.

- We can reach Istanbul in less than... - No! Not Istanbul. Vienna.

Then we will need to make a stop to get more fuel--

No! You have enough fuel. Fly to Vienna. No stops.

We tried to negotiate with them. But they refused to accept.

I understand. Vienna. We will fly to Vienna. You don't have to hurt anyone.

There's no reason to be afraid. We'll do what these men want and fly to Vienna.

I will begin preparing for the flight to Vienna now.

Go!

Whoever's communicating with these folks is keeping the emotional levels in check.

So our own behavior helps the people we're dealing with to stay calmer.

NARRATOR: The hijackers on Flight 013 are desperate to escape their Communist home.

In 1983, large swaths of Eastern Europe

are under the influence of the Soviet Union.

These Soviet Bloc countries are experiencing

an exodus of people trying to reach the West.

Everything at that time was controlled by the state.

So the prospects for these young people were pretty limited and bleak.

(dramatic music plays)

They said no. They want to fly straight to Vienna.

NARRATOR: Stalevs initiation as a hostage negotiator

has been successful so far, but he can't do what the hijackers want.

We realized that we are in a bad situation and we need help.

NARRATOR: The crew of Flight 013 notifies controllers of their dire situation.

Balkan 013 Emergency, emergency.

We have been hijacked and request immediate assistance.

I was hoping that they will be able to give us advice and to prevent casualties.

They want to land in Vienna.

Balkan 013, understood.

(unintelligible office chatter)

(music intensifies)

You don't need a knife. I can't go anywhere.

- Thank you. - LACHEZAR: What are you doing?

- Be quiet. - You don't have to do that.

LACHEZAR: If you are not quiet, I will cut off your finger. Is that what you want?

VALENTINA: (winces in pain, gasps)

I was trying not to shout, not to become crazy.

(music intensifies)

NARRATOR: In the cabin, the threat to passengers is increasing.

Do you see? Do you see now? We are serious!

I was thinking that if I start to react with shouting or with crying,

it will be no good for the situation.

We need direct contact with that controller.

NARRATOR: A command center is set up in Sofia to manage the crisis.

It was a rapid reaction team from the Ministry of Interior,

from the police forces, even from the military.

The hijackers insist on going directly to Vienna.

- (through radio) They will not negotiate. - Okay.

They're more than halfway to Varna.

They've said no to Istanbul.

There is probably not enough fuel to make it to Vienna.

NARRATOR: Bulgarian officials are in a tough spot as they consider their options.

GARY: You run the balance of do we try to accommodate these guys

in some fashion that keeps their emotional levels in check,

versus the potential risk of conducting a, uh, very dangerous military

or law enforcement assault of the airplane.

Yes, I will ask. Balkan 013, please confirm position and fuel on board.

Balkan 013 is currently approaching Golf-Romeo-November.

- We have 1300 kilos of fuel on board. - Are you able to divert to Vienna?

- Negative. - How many hijackers please?

There are four hijackers. They are armed with knives.

They are holding a hostage and threatening to kill her.

(through radio) They are extremely agitated.

(suspenseful music plays)

LACHEZAR: Why haven't we turned? Huh?

If we don't turn soon, people will die.

We can't let them leave Bulgaria.

- Tell them to keep going to Varna. - (dramatic sting)

ATC OPERATOR (through radio): Balkan 013, this is Varna control.

Balkan 013.

You are not to divert. (through radio) Repeat, do not divert.

Continue to fly to Varna for landing and await further instructions.

NARRATOR: Officials in Bulgaria make a critical decision.

In spite of the hijacker's threats, Flight 013 must continue to its destination.

There are countries around the world that, in my opinion

um, sometimes focus too heavily on punishing the bad guys.

The real focus should be; what are those things that

we can do that are most likely to enhance the survivability

of the passengers and crew of that airplane?

Balkan 013, understood. Continue to Varna for landing...

(through radio) and await further instructions.

They can't find out.

NARRATOR: Stalev knows the hijackers

will turn violent turn violent if they discover the plan to land in Varna.

We should turn. As if going to Vienna.

(suspenseful music plays)

PLAMEN (through radio): Balkan 013 request permission to execute a series of turns.

We will maintain current altitude.

Balkan 013, you are cleared to turn left or right. Say new heading.

We will resume our same heading.

- Understood Balkan 013. - Turn at your discretion.

NARRATOR: The pilots execute a series of turns to convince the hijackers

that the plane is diverting to Vienna.

- (plane engine roars) - (music continues)

GARY: Trickery and gamesmanship and fooling them

is generally speaking a recipe for problems.

- We are turning. - We're going towards Vienna.

Like I told you. Vienna.

I was almost, uh, 100% convinced

that we will not land at Vienna Airport.

I don't know why. I can't explain this. Maybe it was really a sixth sense.

Very nice. Let's hope that does it.

Balkan 013 is presently on heading 0-8-5 at flight level 1-3-0

and we are currently 120 kilometers to Varna.

There was no way for them to know that we are still flying to the east.

NARRATOR: But is it enough to deceive the hijackers?

Are they tricking us?

(suspenseful music bellows)

- Are they tricking us? - They wouldn't do that.

They wouldn't? You see, I think they would. No one lie to us!

If anyone lies, I will strangle a passenger.

It was really very stressful and very frightening.

(music intensifies)

Visibility will be five kilometers for landing on runway.

LACHEZAR (off screen): I will kill you all!

PLAMEN: I think he could get violent.

Okay. I better get back there to calm things down.

(music continues)

Engine one is running a bit hot.

NARRATOR: The flight is rapidly approaching Varna.

The pilots must assure the hijackers that they'll soon be in Vienna.

We'll be fine. You don't have to worry, okay?

What are you doing? Go back to the cockpit and fly the plane.

You don't have to shout. You're scaring people.

There are families and they're frightened. We are doing what you asked.

The passengers, they were scared.

I decide to ask the hijackers to calm down.

It will take about an hour to reach Vienna.

- Why don't you sit down? - No, I expect to see Vienna in an hour.

If I don't, I will blow up the plane.

We have enough explosives to obliterate the plane!

So when they told us they have some liquids to blow up the aircraft,

it was dangerous for us.

If the plane's aloft and all of a sudden now the hijackers

introduce a weapon or explosive device, it certainly raises the concern of everyone.

(dramatic music crescendos)

(suspenseful music begins)

MALE INVESTIGATOR: They are 15 minutes out.

We need more time.

NARRATOR: Officials on the ground must now determine how to fool the hijackers

into believing they're landing in Vienna, not Varna on Bulgaria's coast.

(dramatic music builds)

Tell them to fly north of Varna and circle over the sea.

NARRATOR: To buy some time and create the impression of a longer flight to Vienna,

the decision is made to fly past Varna and circle over the Black Sea.

(dramatic sting)

Balkan 013, you are to fly heading zero-eight-zero north of Varna...

(through radio) Maintaining the holding pattern over the sea.

Zero-eight-zero past Varna and over the Black Sea.

When we get to 15 kilometers out, we will start a holding pattern.

It will help them believe we are flying to Vienna. But no steep turns.

I'll keep an eye on the fuel.

So, we decide to circle over the Black Sea first to give them illusion

that we are flying to Vienna. And the other thing was

to give to the ground services enough time to prepare everything for landing.

NARRATOR: Flight 013 begins circling over the Black Sea

but must land in less than an hour or run out of fuel.

- Why did you choose Vienna? - Be quiet.

- Do you have plans when you get there? - This is not your business.

Stop asking questions, huh?

I wanted to distract them from what is happening outside of the plane.

(suspenseful music builds)

Nah. Who would believe that's Vienna?

NARRATOR: It's now obvious to the pilots that

when they land near the Black Sea coast, the hijackers will realize

they're not in Vienna.

The risk was that, Varna could be really easily recognized

from the air, because Varna is a coastal city.

Vienna is not on the sea. It's on a river.

NARRATOR: Authorities need to find a way to make the hijackers believe

they're landing in Vienna instead of Varna.

And there isn't a lot of time to do that.

Stalev has a bold plan.

- They have to turn off the lights. - At the airport?

No, no, no. The whole city.

(dramatic music plays)

If they recognize Varna, they will start kill passengers.

We need to avoid this.

That's why we proposed them to cut off the electricity of Varna.

Balkan 013, if we are going to land at Varna we suggest

turning off the city lights so they don't make out the coast.

ATC OPERATOR: (through radio) Balkan 013. You are requesting they...

cut the power to the city of Varna. Is that correct?

Balkan 013, that is correct.

(plane engine roars)

ALEXANDER: It was really an ingenious idea to cut the power of the whole city.

Back at the time, Varna was one of the largest cities in Bulgaria

with a population in between 200 and 300,000 people.

So that was probably only doable in a communist country.

MALE INVESTIGATOR: Can we cut the power, here?

Without cutting the airport lights?

The effort to disguise your true destination

now requires a lot of activities.

Every one of those just increases the chance that you will be found out.

NARRATOR: For the plan to work, officials will need to cut power

to most of the city of Varna and surrounding areas

but leave the airport lights on so they can land.

Okay. Do what has to be done. But we don't have much time.

We're down to 550 kilos. We can't stay out here much longer.

NARRATOR: Flight 013 has been circling

for almost an hour. It will have to land in Varna

in the next 30 minutes whether the lights are off or not.

(through radio) Balkan 013... What needs to be done will be done.

Will report conditions on frequency one-two-seven decimal four-five.

Understood. One-two-seven decimal four-five. Balkan 013.

And we need firefighters and ambulances.

They may have a flammable liquid. There is a possibility of a fire.

The people on the ground must be prepared for this

and in this situation, it was a lot of stress.

NARRATOR: Cutting the power to an entire city

needs to be carefully coordinated and will take time.

ALEXANDER: This has to be done without causing any panic to the city.

All-important buildings as hospitals, for example, jails,

and other administrative building has to be warned in advance

in order for them to take certain measures.

NARRATOR: With every passing minute,

the risk increases that the hijackers will realize they're

being tricked and make good on their threat to kill passengers.

(phone rings)

(in Romanian) Da. Da.

Go ahead. I'll stand by.

They are ready to cut power.

(suspenseful music plays)

NARRATOR: Just after 7:30 pm, the power to Varna is switched off

and the city goes dark.

Even boats near the shore are ordered to extinguish their lights.

Okay good. I'll inform them to begin their approach.

Balkan 013, you may begin your approach to Varna.

Runway will be two-seven on heading zero-three-five.

Descent is at your discretion.

Only runway lights will be active, the rest of the city will be dark.

Balkan 013 we'll begin the standard approach in five minutes.

(music bellows)

Look at that. They did it.

When we saw that the city was dark,

it encouraged us to believe that the plan will be successful.

(music intensifies)

Nav lights are on. Boost pumps on.

NARRATOR: The pilots of Flight 013 are minutes away from landing at Varna.

They still have no idea what will happen once their plane is on the ground.

(dramatic music plays)

NARRATOR: Ten miles from Varna, the pilots of Balkan Bulgarian airlines

begin their final approach to the now darkened city.

I'll prepare the cabin for landing.

(over PA) As you can see, we've begun our descent towards Vienna.

We'll be on the ground in just a few minutes.

Everyone should sit down and fasten their seatbelts now.

Vienna. I don't see Vienna!

NARRATOR: The hijackers are suspicious.

It was very dangerous moment.

I don't see Vienna. I see water. Why do I see water? This is not Vienna!

That is the Danube. We are almost in Vienna.

(suspenseful music bellows)

PLAMEN: Balkan 013, heading now 2-7-4 approaching flight level 5-0.

ATC OPERATOR (through radio): Adjust heading to 2-7-7.

Landing gear...

Not locked. Only two green.

NARRATOR: Just five miles from the airport, the pilots have a new problem.

There was no indication that the nose gear was down and locked.

It suggests a low pass so the tower can check the gear.

We can't do that.

The low pass is not so complicated thing,

but there is a risk the hijackers to recognize Varna.

NARRATOR: A low pass of the airport tower is out of the question.

We're down to 200 kilos. We have to land.

We have no more fuel than, two, three minutes.

NARRATOR: The pilots must decide what to do as quickly as they can.

Okay. Performing check of the warning lights.

NARRATOR: They determine that it's most likely just a burned-out bulb.

They're confident the gear is down and locked.

Balkan 013. (through radio) We are ready to land, Runway 2-7.

Balkan 013. Maintain heading 3-0-0 degrees for runway 2-7.

PLAMEN (through radio): 3-0-0 degrees.

(music intensifies)

They will be on the ground in four minutes.

Okay, let's get down to 500 for precision approach to runway 2-7.

They are landing here.

We'll get them to pull off the runway and stop here on taxiway four.

(dramatic music sweeps)

And that's where we get on.

NARRATOR: Officials plan to storm the plane once it's on the ground.

This operation was done by the state security forces.

Negotiating with the hijackers was never an option.

They were either gonna be captured or just killed.

500 feet. 100 knots.

NARRATOR: Flight 013 is within sight of the runway in Varna.

PLAMEN: Fully stabilized for landing.

NARRATOR: So far, the hijackers believe that they are landing in Vienna.

We're almost there.

When we land in Vienna, you should come with us.

I can't. I just can't. My family will be waiting for me to get back.

Hm.

So, I was trying to stay calm and to do my job.

50 feet, 40, 30.

(plane engine roars)

Props to reverse. 50 knots, 40.

Balkan 013... Please proceed slowly to taxiway number four...

(through radio) And standby for instructions.

Thank you. It'll be a right turn onto taxiway four. Keep it slow.

- (engine roars) - (dramatic music bellows)

ATC OPERATOR (through radio): Balkan 013, switch off your engines.

Roger. I'll go see what they want us to do.

When we landed, we asked the hijackers to tell us their intentions,

because we have to inform the authorities.

(dramatic music intensifies)

- I want to see the sign that says Vienna. - You can't see it from here.

Then I want to see Austrian custom agents. Bring them on the plane.

We can arrange that.

See who you can find that speaks German. This needs to happen fast.

The actual plan was to disguise two airport employees

as border police to get them to scout the plane

for the local police who would then be storming the aircraft.

NARRATOR: As the authorities try to find German speaking airport workers

to disguise as Austrian border guards, the hijackers make moves of their own.

- LACHEZAR: Come here. - (gasping, panting)

Take her to the bathroom. If anything happens, kill her.

Hey! Stay on them.

VALENTINA: (panting, crying) Please. Please don't hurt me.

Please don't hurt me. (panting continues)

Please. Please. Please. Please don't hurt me.

I was thinking that maybe this is the most dangerous moment.

(music continues)

(sighs) Okay, they're here. I have to open the door.

I knew that, uh, the police is ready and outside

and I didn't know how all this will end.

NARRATOR: The fake Austrian officials board the plane

to convince the hijackers that they are in Austria.

They found a ticket agent and a customs agent to pretend

to be Austrian border police and sent them to the plane.

They're not Austrian. Look, he's wearing a Bulgarian jacket.

One of the hijackers recognized that those people are not Austrian.

(music swells)

They tricked us. They lied to us! Go. Go! Go.

Valentin! Kill her! Kill her now!

(whimpering) Please.

At this time, somebody shouted, "Kill her."

And I was thinking that I'm going to die.

Everyone stay in their spots.

NARRATOR: The Bulgarian plan to deceive the hijackers has backfired.

The lives of all the passengers and crew are now in grave danger.

I feel that everything is lost.

All our efforts and all things that we did, were lost.

(dramatic music bellows)

NARRATOR: The hijackers on board Balkan Bulgarian Airlines Flight 013

know they aren't in Vienna and are about to execute their hostages.

Please.

Now, now, now! They will kill the passengers.

I told them to start their operation immediately.

NARRATOR: Armed Bulgarian police quickly board the plane.

ALEXANDER: It was complete chaos.

They quickly managed to disarm three of the hijackers

while in the meantime outside of the plane there were more security forces

just waiting to storm the aircraft.

There's another one in there. He's going to kill the Flight Attendant.

I hear somebody to shout, "Open the toilet because he'll kill her."

This happened very quickly, for a fraction of second.

YOUNGER VALENTINA: (whimpering) Please.

They shouted at him to let me go, but he didn't.

- (dramatic music seeps) - (gun shot)

- (gasping, whimpering) - (heavy thud)

I was stabbed here, just millimeters from the artery.

NARRATOR: Hijacker, Valentin Ivanov is killed.

It was a dangerous situation because we were very close

and it was very possible to kill me instead of him.

(thematic music begins)

When we decide to take a pre-emptive tactical action to rescue someone,

the outcomes are not always what we want. The good guys don't always win.

And we could very easily lose a hostage in an attempt to save the hostage.

NARRATOR: Two hours after the hijacking began, the ordeal is over.

All the passengers are safe.

I feel good because we did our job.

We saved aircraft, we saved passengers, we saved Varna.

NARRATOR: While the three surviving hijackers await trial,

authorities in Bulgaria try to find out as much as they can

about the young men and their plan.

(suspenseful music bellows)

They were all in some kind of trouble but nothing like this.

NARRATOR: They learn that all four have criminal records for petty crimes.

ALEXANDER: These were just four young lads

who have committed some petty crimes in the past.

Two of them were previously serving in the military.

One was still actually, actively there.

But this was just four people who didn't see any prospects for themselves.

They didn't spend a lot of time thinking it through.

They bought their knives in Sofia a few hours before the flight.

They hid their knives behind their belt buckle to get through security.

They get through security 15 minutes apart to avoid attracting attention.

The security on domestic flights back then was looser than international flights.

And probably that is the reason why they did manage

to go through all the controls with the knives on them.

And then they board the plane.

They don't realize they can't possibly make it to Vienna.

ALEXANDER: I don't think that their plan was thought out well.

I think they just made it in a hurry and we actually have the proof.

NARRATOR: Their misguided plan was to ask for political asylum in Vienna.

They thought that when they reached Vienna they will be granted asylum

by the Austrian authorities. I think they didn't realize

that they're just gonna be arrested and put in jail.

NARRATOR: After a short trial, the three surviving hijackers were given sentences

of between seven and ten years with Lachezar Ivanov receiving

the stiffest sentence of ten years in jail.

GARY: The thing that stands out to me most about this hijacking

was getting the bad guys became the default objective.

Instead of creatively looking at steps that could be taken

to get it resolved peacefully, the default was automatically

we're gonna fool them and trick them and get control of them.

NARRATOR: Airport security for domestic flights is increased, and the incident

aboard Balkan Bulgarian Flight 013 is the last hijacking in Bulgaria.

Plamen Stalev did become a Captain and flew with Balkan Bulgarian

for eight more years before moving on to other airlines.

40 years later, he is still flying commercially.

Our mission was successful because we were a team.

The crew, the ground staff, the military, the policemen.

We were one team and the result was success.

NARRATOR: Flight Attendant Valentina Yordanova recovered fully,

and returned to work a few weeks after the hijacking.

She continued working as a Flight Attendant for Balkan Bulgarian Airlines

for 17 more years.

VALENTINA: For me, flying is something very special.

Actually flying is in my heart and it's in my blood.

And I decided to continue my work and to fly.