Despite the turbulence, Mel Gibson’s “Flight Risk” managed to open No. 1 at the box office with a modest $12 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Mel Gibson's airborne thriller 'Flight Risk' debuts at No. 1 this weekend, but can't lift the overall box office out of another dismal slump.

Mel Gibson’s latest directorial effort earned its fair share at the box office—but it hasn’t captured critics’ hearts.