Original subtitles

'Juliet echo, you're clear to land.'

Roger, control.

I'll be in time to make the airline's meeting after all.

You were right about the wind, Phil.

The airport should use your forecasting skills. I'll talk to...

Aagh!

I've got a problem. I-I-I...

What the hell's happening?!

It seems to be flying itself!

I've got no control. I've nothing.

Look out!

Aaagh!

I'm doing all I can, but nothing will respond!

I think that should do.

It's back! I've got it, I've got it. I've got control.

Ohh!

Juliet echo. I'm coming in to land.

Control: 'Well done. What on earth was going on up there?'

This fax arrived immediately after the incident.

"Next time we keep control. Icarus."

A saboteur with a classical education.

Think it was sabotage?

Your job to find out.

I've had ground crew all over the aircraft checked itself. Nothing.

Autopilots just don't decide to start killing people.

If it was the autopilot.

Have you traced this? There's no ident.

Have you a call-recording system, yeah? Of course.

I can fish out the fax signal and get the sender's ident on it.

They're in here. These your experts?

Yes. They'll need airside passes.

Of course. This is Nigel Todd, head of airport security.

Nigel, this is Nick Beckett and his team.

There could have been a major incident this morning.

Yes, I know, and I was nearly killed.

I didn't mean just you, mrs Langford.

Supposing your plane had come down on the school, or the ring road?

They'll need your cooperation, Nigel, if they are to investigate.

I'm sure there's a logical explanation for all this.

What, pilot error? I've know Phil for years.

He's rock solid!

Neither human error nor mechanical failure

can explain the fax that was received. Exactly.

Someone knew there was going to be a problem. Someone caused it.

Who's the...?

Who's the guy being shown the exit?

Just our resident plane-spotter.

He'd be a bit old for all that, wouldn't he?

Kirkby. He's a nuisance.

Always here jotting down plane details, asking questions.

What he really wants to be is a pilot.

The other day, he even managed to get airside.

Found him wandering around one of the hangars. Really?

Hmm. Perhaps we'd better have a word with this kirkby.

He wouldn't have a reason to want to hurt you, would he?

You mean what happened was some kind of murder attempt?

Well, we can't dismiss the idea.

Got the fax signal. What's next? Him?

Chat him up. Why me?

He's not my type.

The plane's in isolation.

No-one's been in here since security finished their check.

Any ideas?

Well, it could be a software problem. Maybe a virus?

About radio interference?

Some sort of jamming signal? Yeah.

Confusing the on-board system?

Metallic clang who the...? Hey!

Hey!

I thought this place was in total isolation. So did I.

Ed, are you ok? Are you all right?

Yeah. Someone was keen on giving me a lobotomy.

Somebody doesn't like us. What's new?

Did you see who it was? No, mate.

Security will pick him up.

Look, we need to know about the plane.

Do you think it could be a computer problem?

It's possible, yes. You should talk to Quentin elverson.

What he doesn't know about aircraft computers isn't worth knowing.

He invented the navcom guidance system.

Navcom? That's state-of-the-art.

It is. And it's in that plane. Look, he only lives locally.

Footsteps

what happened?! Ah, nothing.

The usual thing, you know. Someone tried to kill me.

This is Richard Wyman, my technical director.

Did you see anyone? No. I was in the lab.

Did you find anything faulty? Sound as a pound.

While ros is with Kirby, I'll check out with elverson...

Elverson?

He won't have anything to do with it.

No-one's suggesting he has.

We're just looking for information, that's all.

Elverson's an eccentric. You're wasting your time.

Mr elverson?

No, no, no. It's impossible.

My navcom system cannot malfunction.

You'll find it was the pilot.

The human brain can't cope with all that information.

The pilot checks out, the hardware checks out.

It must have been the software. It's been tested and tested.

The software is recognised as a work of genius...

Huh! I never got any royalties, mind you.

What about... some kind of...

Virus?

My software incorporates the most rigorous anti-virus protection.

It's tamper-proof. My programs have won awards, commendations...

Well... something went wrong with this plane.

Well, it wasn't my software. Now, here's a copy.

Compare it with what's in your plane.

You'll find no differences, no glitches.

My navcom system has revolutionised flying.

We don't need pilots any more!

Planes can fly themselves!

Good afternoon, mr kirkby?

My name's shelley king.

I'm doing a feature on the impacts airports have on the local economy.

Mrs Langford gave me your name.

I wonder if you could spare a moment?

Lovely, isn't she? Yeah.

You know, I'm proud of the fact there have been kirkbys on this land

since the Norman conquest. I'm sure you are.

But between you and me,

I'm not really interested in farming much.

You'd prefer flying? Yes.

I suppose you'd call me a plane spotter,

but I prefer the term, "aviation enthusiast" myself.

Is that why you were at the airport earlier?

Yes. Yes, I like to watch a few arrivals and departures most days.

You, er, will let me see what you write, won't you?

Of course.

Because last time I gave an interview to the press,

they made me out to be some kind of overgrown schoolboy!

Can you imagine what it must be like to fly one of these?

Controlling the destinies of all those passengers...

What paper did you say you were with again?

Knock on door excuse me.

I've got some journalist girl here interviewing me.

Mr kirkby?

Mr kirkby?

He was a bore and barking mad, but he didn't deserve to die.

How was he involved in the plane's loss of control?

Watch this.

This is the signal of the fax received by the airport.

Ok? Now watch.

This is the fax I sent from kirkby's house.

It's good enough for me.

I can't believe kirkby was mixed up in all of this.

Perhaps he was being used.

Maybe the fax was some sort of smokescreen.

So, who killed him?

The same guy who tried to flatten me.

Icarus. What are you doing here?

This is a restricted area.

What's this? Microwave and uhf scanners.

Do you have authority to set that up?

Mrs Langford has asked us to do whatever is necessary to get

to the bottom of all of this.

And she is the managing director, is she not?

Well, yes. Right.

Does Wyman know?

Yes! Alarm rings

what now?

Mayday. Incoming from malaga.

They've reported complete loss of all control systems.

Shrieking

'hotel Lima, turn all systems on manual.'

Roger. Confirmed autopilot disengaged.

But it makes no difference. We have no control.

'Repeat, no control.'

Roger. Hotel Lima 647.

Standing by for emergency landing. Airspace has been cleared.

They're all over the place.

How can we land?!

We can't do anything! We're climbing now for god's sake!

Screaming and shrieking

This is the captain speaking.

'You will have noticed the strange movements the plane is making.

'There is a temporary fault in the aircraft systems.

'We are doing out best to rectify it.'

What kind of guidance system does that aeroplane have?

The latest. What, one of elverson's navcoms?

The computers that are better than humans?

Probably. Why?

Sirens wail

please listen to the cabin crew and obey their instructions carefully.

Grab your ankles, keep your head down until the plane stops!

Grab your ankles, keep your head down!

Hotel Lima, you're too low. Repeat, too low.

Brace. Brace!

Level out, damn you!

I've got it!

It's responding!

'This is hotel Lima 647.

'We have control.'

we have control.

Preparing to land.

What's happening? Here...

Take a look at that.

Still think it's pilot error?

This is incredible. It's all over the airport.

Can we trace the source?

Is this a local computer system?

Yeah, but it's also on the Internet. Terrific.

So anyone with a modem and a little Patience could have sent this.

Ohh...

I'll have to get the money.

The guidelines stipulate non-payment of ransoms.

What choice do we have? Get the professionals in.

Let me call Carter's mob at mst and eject these amateurs.

For all we know, it's their microwave gadgets

causing all the problem. Don't listen to him, mrs Langford.

For all he knows, it's the battery in his watch!

I don't like it, mrs Langford.

As head of security, I want them off the airport.

Very well, if you insist, Nigel.

I'm sorry, Beckett. I'll be in my office if you need me.

Look...

Mrs Langford, you've got to trust us on this one.

We can sort this out without you having to pay the ransom.

These security passes are time-coded, aren't they?

Valid till... midnight? Yeah.

Just let us keep our passes.

We've got eight hours' security clearance.

If we don't have the answers by then, you can turf us out.

Remember, we never had this conversation.

What conversation? Come on, guys. Let's do it.

Todd must have voided our passes. He's not the fool he looks.

How long to fix this lock, ed?

It's got to be one or two weeks worth.

One or two weeks?! Just don't go away.

Hi. Cameras?

Sorted and looking the other way. Where's ed?

Well, he-he... Hey.

That was a quick couple of weeks. I was hoping to impress you.

Come on in.

I'll start with that software of elverson's, then.

We'll sweep the exterior.

Types rapidly

computer beeps

it's clean so far. Any joy for you, chaps?

No.

Nothing so far.

Ed?

Nothing.

Uh-oh.

Looks like we've got company.

Todd: I'd hoped we'd seen the last of you.

Feeling's mutual.

Where's the girl?

She's never been big on breaking and entering.

So we left her at home. She's got the dinner on.

In fact, ed, we really had better be going.

I wasn't hungry, anyway.

Let's go.

I don't know why you are so suspicious of us, Todd.

We weren't here when the md's plane went haywire.

I suppose you think we're icarus.

You were told to leave the airport. You didn't.

Instead, you broke into airport property.

Beeping

humming

Ed... Beckett...

Engines start

guys?

We're trying to help. Really?

'Guys.' we're close to finding the answer.

Beckett... 'Where are you?'

it's ros.

'Ed, Beckett, where are you? Can you hear me?

'Beckett...

'Ed? Look, the plane's started itself up!'

Oh, no...

'How can I stop this thing?!'

look at the console! Disengage the autopilot!

Where's the hell's the autopilot, ed?

'It's below the aileron trim.'

'i think it's... Look, it's left of the throttles.

'Just above the...'

the one marked "autopilot master switch"?

Nothing's happening, ed. Any other bright ideas?

Hangar 10... Unauthorised aircraft movement.

I want full alert.

All emergency services on condition red.

Sirens

open one of the doors and jump out!

'I've tried that!

'Whoever's controlling the plane has already thought of that one!'

ed...

'Ed...'

whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Security! We need a lift.

Hotel Lima 647, you are not clear for take-off.

Repeat - not clear for take-off.

I know...

I know!

Ok, ros. We're gonna try and open the emergency door from the outside.

Ed, look out!

Engines roar

You ok? Yeah. What are we gonna do?

I don't know.

This is the first time I've been asked to deliver five million quid

at three o'clock in the morning.

Can we get in closer? Sure.

That's her...

Circling at 12,000 feet. Ed?

We've assumed a set flying pattern.

It's circling on about a ten-mile radius which means...

.. They're centred... about here... A little village called hunsted.

Now, somehow... don't ask me how.

Somehow, someone's flying this plane from the ground.

Well, that's impossible! Well, it's the only explanation.

So, there's something on board receiving a control signal?

It's a bug.

I thought mr Beckett were leaving.

It's one of Beckett's people in that plane, Nigel.

They should stay. Oh, please.

You are overruled, Nigel.

What can they do? We can bring her down.

We can also trace the blackmailer.

You've made precious little progress so far. Don't push me.

Right. Good. The money's arrived.

You're not paying?!

How do you explain that to the board?

Paying the ransom might be ros's best hope.

Ros might be in just the right place to help herself.

'Ros, listen, there's got to be a receiver on that plane somewhere.'

yeah, I figured that. I'm looking for one.

And?

I can't find it!

Ros, it's gotta be there.

Ros, look, imagine it was you...

If you were trying to override the navigation system,

where would you place the bug? I don't know, Beckett!

As far as I'm concerned, a plane's just a flying pub.

A place you relax with a drink or two on your way to the beach.

'Yes, very funny. You know, you've only got so much fuel.'

oh, cheers, Beckett (!) Don't ever try out for the samaritans.

Don't these damn things have ejector seats?

'No. And they don't have parachutes either.'

'why not?' Because nothing can go wrong.

Yeah, right.

That's what they said about the Titanic.

'At least it had lifeboats.'

watch out for those icebergs.

Hang on...

'Ros?' hang on, ed.

This autopilot's just a computer, yeah?

And you access a computer...

'Via the input ports.'

mr icarus...

..Gotcha!

'I've found a bug, guys.'

now what?

If we disable the bug... Can ros fly?

We'd have to talk her down.

What's the verdict, guys? Do I take it out?

Yes. Listen, when you do, hang on to that steering column.

'Just keep it steady.'

ok.

Here goes.

Ed! The system must be tamper-proof. It's diving!

Both: Put the bug back in!

I'd thought of that!

I can't find it!

She sobs

She sobs

'Ros?

'Come on, ros!' Oh!

'Talk to me, ros.

'What's happening?'

she's losing far too much height.

Bleeps 'ros!'

beeping

Come on!

It's ok.

The plane's levelling out.

Whoever had control before has it again.

Back to square one.

Ok, ok. We can go at this from the other end.

If we can find the transmitter,

then we can find the control device and bring her down safely that way.

Assuming you can find this transmitter.

We've had another message from the blackmailers.

More details about the drop. Where do they want it?

The moletrap. The moletrap?! It's a local pub.

Probably it's the first place they thought of.

They also insist that someone from the airport take the money.

I'll do it. No. It might be dangerous.

I'll go. All right, but I'm coming with you.

No, I don't think so, mr Beckett,

I think it'd be better if I go with mr Wyman.

All right, all right, ok.

But let me prepare a bag, ok, for the money -

one that we can trace.

Ed, you find the transmitter.

Ros, can you hear me?

'Loud and clear' good.

Listen, this control device, any idea of what frequency band it uses?

Try around 140-150 megahertz.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, hang on, I think...

Yeah, I think I've got something.

It's a data stream at about 149 megahertz.

It's really faint.

'Ed... the sun's coming up.

'I'd kind of like to see it again, if you know what I mean.'

no worries, ros. We'll get you down.

Microphone in one of the catches,

the transmitter and power source is in the handle,

and the aerial is wired into the frame.

Now, it's almost impossible to detect, but if that fails...

I'll do that.

Sure you want to do this? It's safer with two of us.

Wouldn't want you to get lost with all the airport's money (!)

Ed, I don't want to hassle you,

but if this fuel Gauge works the same as the one in my car,

I could really do with a service station.

'Doing my best, ros.'

Reminds me of the army.

Dawn attack. Really?

I suppose the nearest you ever get to excitement

is that flying club of yours.

'I enjoy it.'

Todd: 'Busman's holiday, I'd have thought.'

This is it?

No-one about.

Where are you going? Just for a look, see.

Shouldn't we stick together? Frightened of something?

No-one here.

Stretch your legs, why don't you?

Todd: 'We're all alone, Richard.'

gunshot, car engine turning over

ed...

I haven't got much more time.

'Just hang in there, ros.'

'sure. I'm not going anywhere special.'

knocking

oh, it's you.

I thought something must have gone wrong. Where have you been?!

I had a few loose ends to deal with.

Any longer and the plane will come down on the village.

So?

Come on. No!

I've got to get it down!

I want the world to realise what my navcom is really capable of!

Why? We've got the money.

If there's some poor girl on that plane, I must bring her down.

We haven't time. We've got to get away.

No! I'm sorry, Wyman.

I don't want any more deaths on my conscience.

I had to kill kirkby.

Why?

He was just meant to be a convenient scapegoat.

Kirkby was a fool. It was just a game to him.

A chance to play with bigger toys.

Once I realised they could trace that fax, he had to die.

£2.5 million - that should ease your conscience.

Ed: 'Ros, signal's getting stronger.'

'well, could you get a move on, ed?

'Because I'm almost completely out of fuel now.'

don't you understand, it's not just the money!

I want those idiots to realise the full potential of navcom -

planes without pilots, error-free flying.

You're as big a fool as kirkby.

Just give me five minutes to get this girl down.

Suit yourself.

'Hey, ros, I'm close. Very close.'

Wyman?! I can't believe it!

'He's our man.'

he's killed Todd, and he's got the money.

He's ditched the bugged case, but I arranged a back-up.

And that's what I'm following now.

Ros, it looks like I've got it.

Good.

He seems to be heading for...

A flying club?

At stapleford? Yes, he's a member there.

Right.

Ros, can you hear me?

Listen, I've found it. 'What?'

I've got the transmitter and the controls.

You took your time.

There's just one little problem.

The one person who knows how to operate this stuff... is dead.

Ok, ed, you're the pilot, get me down.

Excuse me...

Ros, listen, I fly planes not computers.

I know. Computers are my department.

I should be up there, you should be down here!

We're in the wrong place. 'Someone is.'

the thing is - I fly things a good deal smaller than this ordinarily,

and call me strange, when I do, I like to be in a cockpit.

It's just a computer, ed, like a simulator.

Oh, yeah...

How did you control a plane with this thing?

I... I can't fly with this!

Aaagh!! Ed...

You are!

You are.

I daren't touch a thing.

Oh, ed, don't do this to me!

All right. Ah...

As far as I can tell, the plane's instruments are duplicated here.

The controls are graphics.

'Right, now, use the mouse to operate the controls.'

mouse...?

The thing with the tail.

All right, I'm gonna try something.

'Stand by.

'Ok, you should start to descend.'

it's working!

Yes. Yeah, I can tell.

That was the easy part.

Landing's gonna be something else.

Horn sounds

Ok, ros, you're six miles from the airport.

You should be able to see the runway lights soon.

'Hotel Lima 647. Ros, isn't it? Come in, please.'

hello.

We have you on radar. Your approach looks good.

Full emergency teams are standing by.

Gee, thanks (!)

I can see it, ed. I can see the runway lights.

Good. All right.

Here we go.

Looking good.

Too fast! It's still too fast!

I need some reverse thrust.

'Where the hell is reverse thrust?!' Is there anything you've not tried?

No... yes. There are two boxes at the bottom of the screen,

one says "in flight", one says "ground"'.

Ed, I'm no longer in flight. Try ground!

Yes!

We did it, ed!

Yes! God, I love mice!

Good flight?

Yeah. In-flight movie wasn't up to much.

Beckett busy, is he?

Gunshot

I'm afraid mr Wyman... Rather lost control of things.

I just can't believe it.

All of these years Wyman's been such a loyal employee,

and all the time he was plotting this.

Greed can be a terrible thing.

Which reminds me, we found this when we recovered the money.

Ah... Yours, I believe.

Well, any idiot can bug a suitcase, right?

A miniaturised tracker using the metallic thread

of the note as an aerial. Cool bananas, Beckett!

Thanks again, all of you.

And remember, any time you want a flight anywhere,

I'm sure I can get you a good deal. No! Thanks.

No offence, but I fancy keeping my feet

on terra firma for a while. That's a damn shame.

I've invested in a terrific gift for you...

Flying lessons!

---oOo---