Original subtitles

A flight to the coast of Bulgaria

turns into a nightmare.

turns into a nightmare.

Sit down.

Unless we fly to Vienna, I will kill you.

A pilot finds himself negotiating with

A pilot finds himself negotiating with

armed hijackers at 13,000 feet.

I saw the guy with knife.

I saw the guy with knife.

I was shocked.

Stay calm.

We want to help you.

The pilots must stay one step

The pilots must stay one step

ahead of the violent hijackers.

Do not get in our way.

Do not get in our way.

We should turn.

I thought that they would kill me.

I thought that they would kill me.

The crew needs the hijackers to believe

they are landing in Vienna.

they are landing in Vienna.

Their plan makes history.

They have to turn off the lights.

At the airport?

At the airport?

No, no, no.

The whole city.

Ladies and gentlemen we are starting...

Ladies and gentlemen we are starting...

We lost both engines.

Mayday, mayday.

Brace for impact!

Brace for impact!

Think I lost one.

Investigation started.

She's gonna crash.

She's gonna crash.

Some candy?

Balkan Bulgarian Airlines Flight

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

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

That was probably the most popular domestic flight back

That was probably the most popular domestic flight back

at the time 'cause it takes tourists

to the most popular destinations of the northern

to the most popular destinations of the northern

part of the Black Sea.

Weather looks good.

We'll hold the altitude until we reach delta whisky November.

We'll hold the altitude until we reach delta whisky November.

Plamen Stalev is at the controls

of tonight's flight.

He's been with the airline for three years.

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,

I did many flights to Varna, and it was a normal airport,

nothing special.

nothing special.

Maintaining 130 and...

Maintaining 130 and...

Your speed's a little warped.

Czech captain Ilya is the other pilot.

Czech captain Ilya is the other pilot.

He's training Stalev.

That was one of his last flights

before becoming a captain.

It's just after 6:15.

Valentin Ivanov and Lachezar Ivanov

are amongst the passengers traveling to Varna.

are amongst the passengers traveling to Varna.

She's coming.

She's coming.

Valentina Yordanova, known as Vaya,

is the only flight attendant on board.

is the only flight attendant on board.

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

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

He's sick.

Please help.

Please help.

Sit down!

But they pushed me beside them,

then they pulled the knife.

then they pulled the knife.

This all happened in a fraction of a second.

Beside me, two hijackers were keeping two passengers

Beside me, two hijackers were keeping two passengers

in front of them as hostages.

in front of them as hostages.

Unless we fly to Vienna, I will kill you.

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.

Otherwise, they will kill me and passengers.

We can let the pilots know.

We can let the pilots know.

I was trying to talk

with them, to calm them.

We'll fly to Vienna.

We'll fly to Vienna.

You don't have to hurt anyone.

This is my most important duty, to calm.

This is my most important duty, to calm.

Hey!

We are flying to Vienna.

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

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

He was walking through the aisle with the knife,

He was walking through the aisle with the knife,

and he was threatening the passengers.

and he was threatening the passengers.

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

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.

crash this plane if we have to.

Do not get in our way.

Do not get in our way.

Understand?

45 minutes to touchdown.

We are right on schedule.

We are right on schedule.

In the cockpit, the pilots

have no idea about the dangerous situation

have no idea about the dangerous situation

unfolding behind them.

We were 15 minutes after takeoff.

We were 15 minutes after takeoff.

The flight was fine.

Everything was in order.

We need to talk to the pilots.

We need to talk to the pilots.

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

No.

No.

Talk to the pilots now!

The only way to communicate

with the cockpit is through an intercom located

with the cockpit is through an intercom located

at the front of the plane.

Unfortunately, they refused to let me go.

Unfortunately, they refused to let me go.

Somebody pick up the white phone.

Somebody pick up the white phone.

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

They were so frightened

They were so frightened

that nobody wanted to do this.

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

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

You.

You go.

You go.

They must go to Vienna.

Tell them.

No, wait.

No, wait.

I told him, don't open the door.

We have to check who is knocking at the door.

We have to check who is knocking at the door.

Security reason, of course.

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

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

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

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

There are four hijackers on board, armed with knives.

There are four hijackers on board, armed with knives.

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

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.

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

Tell them we will do what they want.

I don't think we can make Vienna.

Not without more fuel.

Not without more fuel.

Maybe suggest a closer alternative.

The plane is carrying enough fuel

for the one-hour trip from Sofia to Varna,

for the one-hour trip from Sofia to Varna,

but Vienna is more than 550 miles

but Vienna is more than 550 miles

in the opposite direction, more than two hours away.

Planes usually carry a specific amount of fuel

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 reserve

to its intended destination, plus a little bit of reserve

for an alternate airport.

So in that case, the pilots couldn't

So in that case, the pilots couldn't

just decide to fly to Vienna.

They will do what you ask.

Just be calm.

OK.

Gary Noesner is the former chief of the FBI's

crisis negotiation unit.

crisis negotiation unit.

He has led negotiations during some of the world's

most notorious hijackings.

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,

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

and then dealing with it there.

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,

is to maintain his own self-control,

to be calm, professional.

That will minimize the hijackers becoming more

That will minimize the hijackers becoming more

demonstrative and threatening.

Hello.

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.

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.

and we will do what you ask.

You see?

We're going to Vienna.

We're going to Vienna.

It was very important for me to try to assure them

that they will achieve their aim and they

that they will achieve their aim and they

will land it at the airport.

will land it at the airport.

What about Istanbul?

Can we make it?

If they refuse the hijackers' request

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.

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

The pilots need another option.

We can do it.

OK.

OK.

Let's see if they'll accept the alternative.

The hijacked Balkan Bulgarian

Airlines flight is halfway to Varna, a city on the Black Sea.

Airlines flight is halfway to Varna, a city on the Black Sea.

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

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

You... you will die first.

You... you will die first.

In hopes of combing the hijackers,

Plamen Stalev must now act as hostage negotiator.

Plamen Stalev must now act as hostage negotiator.

When I enter in the passenger cabin,

I realize that the situation is serious.

I realize that the situation is serious.

A small mistake could cost lives.

A small mistake could cost lives.

I saw the guy with the knife.

I was shocked.

I think you have to be very clear,

and in a detailed way, advise the hijackers.

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.

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.

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

We can reach Istanbul in less than...

No.

Not Istanbul!

Not Istanbul!

Vienna!

Then, we will need to make a stop to get more fuel.

No!

You have enough fuel!

You have enough fuel!

Fly to Vienna!

No stops!

No stops!

We tried to negotiate with them,

but they refused to accept.

but they refused to accept.

I understand.

Vienna.

We will fly to Vienna.

You don't have to hurt anyone.

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.

We'll do what these men want and fly to Vienna.

I will begin preparing for the flight to Vienna.

I will begin preparing for the flight to Vienna.

Go.

Whoever is communicating with these folks

is keeping the emotional levels in check,

is keeping the emotional levels in check,

so our own behavior helps the people we're

dealing with to stay calmer.

The hijackers in flight 013 are desperate

to escape their communist home.

to escape their communist home.

In 1983, large swaths of Eastern Europe

In 1983, large swaths of Eastern Europe

are under the influence of the Soviet Union.

These Soviet bloc countries are experiencing

These Soviet bloc countries are experiencing

an exodus of people trying to reach the West.

Everything at that time was controlled by the state.

Everything at that time was controlled by the state.

So the prospects for these young people

were pretty limited and bleak.

were pretty limited and bleak.

They said no.

They want to fly straight to Vienna.

Stalev's initiation as a hostage negotiator

Stalev's initiation as a hostage negotiator

has been successful so far, but he can't

do what the hijackers want.

do what the hijackers want.

We realized that we are in a bad situation

We realized that we are in a bad situation

and we need help.

The crew of flight 013 notifies controllers

The crew of flight 013 notifies controllers

of their dire situation.

Balkan 013, emergency, emergency.

We have been hijacked and request immediate assistance.

We have been hijacked and request immediate assistance.

I was hoping that they

will be able to give us advice and to prevent casualties.

will be able to give us advice and to prevent casualties.

They want to land in Vienna.

Balkan 013, understood.

Balkan 013, understood.

Balkan 013, understood.

You don't need a knife.

I can't go anywhere.

Thank you.

What are you doing!

What are you doing!

Be quiet!

You don't have to do that.

If you are not quiet, I will cut off your finger.

If you are not quiet, I will cut off your finger.

Is that what you want?

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

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

In the cabin, the threat to passengers

is increasing.

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,

to react with shouting or with crying,

it will be no good for the situation.

We need direct contact with the controller.

We need direct contact with the controller.

A command center is set up

in Sofia to manage the crisis.

in Sofia to manage the crisis.

It was a rapid reaction team

from the Ministry of Interior, from the police forces,

from the Ministry of Interior, from the police forces,

even from the military.

The hijackers insist on going directly to Vienna.

The hijackers insist on going directly to Vienna.

They will not negotiate.

OK.

They're more than halfway to Varna.

They've said no to Istanbul.

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

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

Bulgarian officials are in a tough spot

as they consider their options.

You run the balance of,

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

their emotional levels in check, versus the potential risk

of conducting a very dangerous military or law-enforcement

of conducting a 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, please confirm position and fuel on board.

Balkan 013 is currently approaching

Balkan 013 is currently approaching

gulf romeo november.

We have 1,300 kilos of fuel on board.

Are you able to divert to Vienna?

Are you able to divert to Vienna?

Negative.

How many hijackers, please?

There are four hijackers.

They're armed with knives.

They're armed with knives.

They are holding a hostage and threatening to kill her.

They are extremely agitated.

They are extremely agitated.

Why haven't we turned?

Huh?

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

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

We can't let them to leave Bulgaria.

Tell them to keep going to Varna.

Tell them to keep going to Varna.

Balkan 013, this is Varna control.

Balkan 013, this is Varna control.

Balkan 013.

You are not to divert.

Repeat, do not divert.

Continue to fly to Varna for landing,

Continue to fly to Varna for landing,

and then wait for the instructions.

Officials in Bulgaria make a critical decision.

Officials in Bulgaria make a critical decision.

In spite of the hijackers' threats, flight 013 must

continue to its destination.

continue to its destination.

There are countries around the world

that, in my opinion, sometimes focus too heavily

that, in my opinion, sometimes focus too heavily

on punishing the bad guys.

The real focus should be, what are those things

The real focus should be, what are those things

that we can do that are most likely to enhance

that we can do that are most likely to enhance

the survivability of the passengers

and crew of that airplane.

Balkan 013, understood.

Balkan 013, understood.

Continue to Varna for landing and await further instructions.

They can't find out.

They can't find out.

Stalev knows the hijackers

will turn violent if they discover

the plan to land in Varna.

the plan to land in Varna.

We should turn, as if going to Vienna.

We should turn, as if going to Vienna.

Balkan 013, request permission to execute a series of turns.

Balkan 013, request permission to execute a series of turns.

We will maintain current altitude.

Balkan 013, you are clear to turn left or right.

Balkan 013, you are clear to turn left or right.

Say new heading.

We will resume our same heading.

Balkan 013.

Balkan 013.

Turn at your discretion.

The pilots execute a series of turns

to convince the hijackers that the plane

to convince the hijackers that the plane

is diverting to Vienna.

Trickery and gamesmanship

and fooling them is, generally speaking,

a recipe for problems.

We are turning!

We are turning!

We're going towards Vienna!

Like I told you, Vienna!

Like I told you, Vienna!

I was almost 100% convinced that they will

not land at Vienna airport.

not land at Vienna airport.

I don't know why.

I can't explain this.

Maybe it was really a sixth sense.

Maybe it was really a sixth sense.

Very nice.

Let's hope that does it.

Balkan 013 is presently on head in 085 at flight level 130.

Balkan 013 is presently on head in 085 at flight level 130.

Balkan 013 is presently on head in 085 at flight level 130.

And we are currently 120 kilometers to Varna.

There was no way for them to know that we

There was no way for them to know that we

are still flying to the East.

are still flying to the East.

But is it enough to deceive the hijackers?

Are they tricking us?

Are they tricking us?

Are they tricking us?

They wouldn't do that.

They wouldn't?

They wouldn't?

You see, I think they would.

No one lie to us!

No one lie to us!

If anyone lies, I will strangle a passenger.

If anyone lies, I will strangle a passenger.

It was really very

stressful and very frightening.

stressful and very frightening.

Visibility will be 5 kilometers

for landing on runway.

I will kill you all!

I will kill you all!

I think he could get violent.

I'd better get back there to calm things down.

Engine 1 is running a bit hot.

Engine 1 is running a bit hot.

The flight is rapidly approaching Varna.

The pilots must assure the hijackers

The pilots must assure the hijackers

that they'll soon be in Vienna.

We'll be fine.

You don't have to worry.

You don't have to worry.

What are you doing?

Go back to the cockpit and fly the plane.

Go back to the cockpit and fly the plane.

You don't have to shout.

You're scaring people.

They have families and are frightened.

They have families and are frightened.

We are doing what you asked.

The passengers, they were scared.

I decided to ask the hijackers to calm down.

I decided to ask the hijackers to calm down.

It will take about an hour to reach Vienna.

It will take about an hour to reach Vienna.

Why don't you sit down?

No.

I expect to see Vienna in an hour.

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!

We have enough explosives to obliterate the plane!

So when they told us

they have some liquids to blow up the aircraft,

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,

now, the hijackers introduce a weapon or explosive device,

it certainly raises the concern of everyone.

They are 15 minutes out.

We need more time.

Officials on the ground

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.

not Varna, on Bulgaria's coast.

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

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

To buy some time and create the impression

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.

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

Balkan 013, you are to fly ahead in 080 north of Varna,

Balkan 013, you are to fly ahead in 080 north of Varna,

maintaining the holding pattern over the sea.

080 past Varna and over the Black Sea.

080 past Varna and over the Black Sea.

When we get to 15 kilometers out,

we'll start holding pattern.

we'll start 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

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

And the other thing was to give to the ground services

enough time to prepare everything for landing.

enough time to prepare everything for landing.

Flight 013 begins circling over the Black Sea,

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?

Why did you choose Vienna?

Be quiet.

Do you have plans when you get there?

This is not your business.

This is not your business.

Stop asking questions.

I wanted to distract them from what is

I wanted to distract them from what is

happening outside of the plane.

Who would believe that's Vienna?

It's now obvious to the pilots

that when they land near the Black Sea coast,

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

The risk was that Varna could be really

easily recognized from the air, because Varna

is a coastal city.

is a coastal city.

Vienna is not at the sea.

It's on a river.

Authorities need to find a way

to make the hijackers believe they're landing

to make the hijackers believe they're landing

in Vienna, instead of Varna.

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

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

Stalev has a bold plan.

Stalev has a bold plan.

They have to turn off the lights.

At the airport?

No, no, no.

No, no, no.

The whole city.

If they recognize Varna, they will start killing passengers.

If they recognize Varna, they will start killing passengers.

We need to avoid this.

We need to avoid this.

That's why we propose them to cut

off the electricity of Varna.

off the electricity of Varna.

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

we suggest turning off the city lights so they

we suggest turning off the city lights so they

don't make out the coast.

Balkan 013, you're requesting they cut

Balkan 013, you're requesting they cut

the power to the city of Varna.

Is that correct?

Balkan 013, that is correct.

Balkan 013, that is correct.

It was really an ingenious idea to cut

the power of the whole city.

the power of the whole city.

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

in Bulgaria, with a population in between 200,000

in Bulgaria, with a population in between 200,000

and 300,000 people.

So that was probably only doable in a communist country.

So that was probably only doable in a communist country.

Can we cut the power here, without cutting

Can we cut the power here, without cutting

the airport lights?

the airport lights?

The effort to disguise your true destination now

requires a lot of activities.

requires a lot of activities.

Every one of those just increases the chance

Every one of those just increases the chance

that you will be found out.

For the plan to work, officials

For the plan to work, officials

will need to cut power to most of the city of Varna

and its suburbs, but leave the airport

lights on so they can land.

lights on so they can land.

It has to be done, but we don't have much time.

It 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.

We can't stay out here much longer.

Flight 013 has been circling for almost an hour.

It will have to land in Varna in the next 30 minutes,

It will have to land in Varna in the next 30 minutes,

whether the lights are off or not.

Balkan 013, what needs to be done will be done.

Balkan 013, what needs to be done will be done.

We'll report conditions on frequency 127 decimal 45.

We'll report conditions on frequency 127 decimal 45.

Understood.

127 decimal 45, Balkan 013.

127 decimal 45, Balkan 013.

And we need firefighters and ambulances.

They may have a flammable liquid.

There's a possibility of a fire.

There's a possibility of a fire.

The people on the ground

must be prepared for this.

must be prepared for this.

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

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

Cutting the power to an entire city

needs to be carefully coordinated and will take time.

needs to be carefully coordinated and will take time.

This has to be done without causing

any panic to the city.

All important buildings as hospitals, for example, jails,

All important buildings as hospitals, for example, jails,

and other administrative buildings,

has to be warned in advance in order for them

has to be warned in advance in order for them

to take certain measures.

With every passing minute,

With every passing minute,

the risk increases that the hijackers will realize they're

being tricked and make good on their threat

being tricked and make good on their threat

to kill passengers.

Da.

Da.

Da.

Go ahead.

I'll stand by.

I'll stand by.

They're ready to cut power.

Just after 7:30 PM, the power to Varna

Just after 7:30 PM, the power to Varna

is switched off, and the city goes dark.

Even boats near the shore are ordered

Even boats near the shore are ordered

to extinguish their lights.

OK, good.

OK, good.

I'll inform them to begin the approach.

Balkan 013, you may begin your approach to the Varna.

Balkan 013, you may begin your approach to the Varna.

Runaway will be 27 on heading 035.

Descent is at your discretion.

Descent is at your discretion.

Only runway lights will be active.

The rest of the city will be dark.

Balkan 013 will begin the standard

Balkan 013 will begin the standard

approach in five minutes.

Look at that.

Look at that.

They did it.

When we saw that the city was dark,

When we saw that the city was dark,

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

Nav lights are on.

Boost pumps on.

Boost pumps on.

The pilots of flight 013 are minutes

away from landing at Varna.

away from landing at Varna.

They still have no idea what will happen once their plane is

on the ground.

10 miles from Varna, the pilots of Balkan Bulgarian Airlines

10 miles from Varna, the pilots of Balkan Bulgarian Airlines

begin their final approach to the now-darkened city.

begin their final approach to the now-darkened city.

I'll prepare the cabin for landing.

As you can see, we've begun our descent towards Vienna.

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.

Everyone should sit down and fasten their seatbelts now.

Vienna?

I don't see Vienna.

I don't see Vienna.

The hijackers are suspicious.

The hijackers are suspicious.

It was a very dangerous moment.

I don't see Vienna!

I see water!

I see water!

Why do I see water!

This is not Vienna!

This is not Vienna!

That is the Danube.

We are almost in Vienna.

Balkan 013, heading now 274, approaching flight level 509.

Balkan 013, heading now 274, approaching flight level 509.

277.

Landing gear.

Not locked.

Only two green.

Only two green.

Just five miles from the airport,

the pilots have a new problem.

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.

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.

The low pass is not so complicated thing.

But there is a risk the hijackers to recognize Varna.

A low pass of the airport tower

A low pass of the airport tower

is out of the question.

We're down to 200 kilos.

We're down to 200 kilos.

We have to land.

We have no more fuel than two, three minutes.

We have no more fuel than two, three minutes.

The pilots must decide what

to do as quickly as they can.

OK.

OK.

Performing check of the warning lights.

They determine that it's most

They determine that it's most

likely just a burned-out bulb.

They're confident the gear is down and locked.

They're confident the gear is down and locked.

Balkan 013, we're ready to land, runway 27.

Balkan 013, we're ready to land, runway 27.

Balkan 013, maintain heading 300 degrees for runway 27.

300 degrees.

They will be on the ground in four minutes.

They will be on the ground in four minutes.

OK.

Let's get down to 500 for precision approach

Let's get down to 500 for precision approach

to runway 27.

They are landing here.

We'll get them to pull off the runway

and stop here, on taxiway 4.

and stop here, on taxiway 4.

And that's where we get on.

Officials plan to storm the plane

once it's on the ground.

once it's on the ground.

This operation was done by the state security forces.

Negotiating with the hijackers was never an option.

Negotiating with the hijackers was never an option.

They were either going to be captured or just killed.

They were either going to be captured or just killed.

500 feet, 100 knots.

500 feet, 100 knots.

Flight 013 is within sight of the runway in Varna.

Fully stabilized for landing.

Fully stabilized for landing.

So far, the hijackers believe

that they're landing in Vienna.

that they're landing in Vienna.

We're almost there.

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

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

I can't.

I can't.

I just can't.

My family will be waiting for me to get back.

So I was trying to stay calm

and to do my job.

and to do my job.

50 feet, 40, 30.

Props to reverse.

50 knots, 40.

50 knots, 40.

Balkan 013, please proceed

slowly to taxiway number 4 and then wait for instructions.

slowly to taxiway number 4 and then wait for instructions.

Thank you.

It'll be a right turn onto taxiway 4.

It'll be a right turn onto taxiway 4.

Keep it slow.

Balkan 013, switch off your engines.

Balkan 013, switch off your engines.

Roger.

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

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

When we landed, we asked the hijackers

to tell us their intentions, because we

to tell us their intentions, because we

have to inform the authorities.

I want to see the sign that says Vienna.

I want to see the sign that says Vienna.

You can't see it from here.

I want to see Austrian custom agents.

Bring them on the plane.

Bring them on the plane.

We can arrange that.

See who you can find that speaks German.

This needs to happen fast.

This needs to happen fast.

The actual plan

was to disguise two airport employees as border police,

was to disguise two airport employees as border police,

to get them to scout the plane, for the local police, who would

to get them to scout the plane, for the local police, who would

then be storming the aircraft.

As the authorities try to find German-speaking airport

As the authorities try to find German-speaking airport

employees to disguise as Austrian border guards,

the hijackers make moves of their own.

the hijackers make moves of their own.

Come here.

Take her to the bathroom.

Take her to the bathroom.

If anything happens, kill her.

Hey!

Hey!

Stay on them.

Please, please don't hurt me.

Please don't hurt me.

Please don't hurt me.

Please, please, please don't hurt me.

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

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

OK.

They're here.

I'll have to open the door.

I'll have to open the door.

I knew that the police is ready and outside.

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

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

The fake Austrian officials

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

They found a ticket agent and a customs agent

to pretend to be Austrian border police

and sent them to the plane.

and sent them to the plane.

They're not Austrian.

Look, he's wearing a Bulgarian jacket!

Look, he's wearing a Bulgarian jacket!

One of the hijackers recognized that

One of the hijackers recognized that

those people are not Austrian.

He tricked us.

They lied to us!

Go, go, go!

Go, go, go!

Valentin, kill her!

Kill her now!

At this time,

somebody shouted, kill her.

somebody shouted, kill her.

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

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

Everyone stay in their spots!

The Bulgarian plan to deceive

The Bulgarian plan to deceive

the hijackers has backfired.

The lives of all the passengers and crew

are now in grave danger.

are now in grave danger.

I feel that everything is lost.

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

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

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

The hijackers on board Balkan Bulgarian Airlines

The hijackers on board Balkan Bulgarian Airlines

flight 013 know they aren't in Vienna and are about

to execute their hostages.

to execute their hostages.

Please.

No, no, no!

They will kill the passengers!

They will kill the passengers!

I told them to start their operation immediately.

Armed Bulgarian police quickly board the planes.

Armed Bulgarian police quickly board the planes.

It was complete chaos.

It was complete chaos.

They quickly managed to disarm three of the hijackers,

They quickly managed to disarm three of the hijackers,

while the meantime, outside of the plane,

there were more security forces just

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!

So I hear somebody shout, open the

So I hear somebody shout, open the

toilet, because he'll kill her.

This happened very quickly, for a fraction of a second.

This happened very quickly, for a fraction of a second.

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

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

I was stabbed here, just millimeters from the artery.

I was stabbed here, just millimeters from the artery.

Hijacker Valentin Ivanov is killed.

Hijacker Valentin Ivanov is killed.

It was a dangerous situation, because we

were very close, and it was very possible to kill me,

were very close, and it was very possible to kill me,

instead of him.

instead of him.

When we decide to take preemptive tactical action

When we decide to take preemptive tactical action

to rescue someone, the outcomes are not always what we want.

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

And we could very easily lose a hostage in an attempt

to save the hostage.

Two hours after the hijacking began,

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 valor.

We saved aircraft, we saved passengers, we saved valor.

While the three surviving hijackers await

While the three surviving hijackers await

trial, authorities in Bulgaria try

to find out as much as they can about the young men

to find out as much as they can about the young men

and their plan.

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

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

They learn that all four have criminal records

They learn that all four have criminal records

for petty crimes.

These were just

four young lads who have committed

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.

One was still, actually, actively there.

But these were just four people who didn't see

any prospects for themselves.

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.

a few hours before the flight.

They hid their knives behind the belt

buckle to get through security.

They get through security 15 minutes apart

to avoid attracting attention.

to avoid attracting attention.

Their security

on domestic flights back in time was much looser

than international flights.

than international flights.

And probably, that is the reason why they

did manage to go through all the controls

did manage to go through all the controls

with the knives on them.

And then, they board the plane.

And then, they board the plane.

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

I don't think that their plan

was thought out well.

I think they just made it in a hurry,

I think they just made it in a hurry,

and we actually have the proof.

Their misguided plan was to ask

for political asylum in Vienna.

for political asylum in Vienna.

They thought that when they reach

Vienna, they will be granted asylum

by the Austrian authorities.

by the Austrian authorities.

I think they didn't realize that they're just going

I think they didn't realize that they're just going

to be arrested and put in jail.

After a short trial, the three surviving hijackers

received sentences of between 7 and 10 years,

received sentences of between 7 and 10 years,

with Lachezar Ivanov getting the longest

term of 10 years in jail.

term of 10 years in jail.

The thing that stands out

to me most about this hijacking was getting the bad guys became

to me most about this hijacking was getting the bad guys became

the default objective, instead of creatively

the default objective, instead of creatively

looking at steps that could be taken

to get it resolved peacefully.

to get it resolved peacefully.

The default was automatically, we're

going to fool them and trick them and get control of them.

going to fool them and trick them and get control of them.

Airport security for domestic flights has increased,

and the incident aboard Balkan Bulgarian flight 013 is

and the incident aboard Balkan Bulgarian flight 013 is

the last hijacking in Bulgaria.

Plamen Stalev becomes a captain and flies with Balkan

Bulgarian for eight more years before moving on

Bulgarian for eight more years before moving on

to other airlines.

40 years later, he's still flying commercially.

40 years later, he's still flying commercially.

Our mission was successful, because we were a team.

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

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

we were one team, and the result was success.

we were one team, and the result was success.

Flight attendant Valentina Yordanova

Flight attendant Valentina Yordanova

recovers fully and returns to work a few weeks

after the hijacking.

after the hijacking.

She continues working as a flight

attendant for Balkan Bulgarian Airlines for 17 more years.

attendant for Balkan Bulgarian Airlines for 17 more years.

For me, flying

is something very special.

is something very special.

Actually, flying is in my heart and in my blood.

Actually, flying is in my heart and in my blood.

And I decided to continue my work and to fly.