A 24-year-old man, allegedly intoxicated, stole a Cessna 172 from Kalocsa Airport in Hungary on Saturday morning, prompting a military response including fighter jets, according to Hungarian police and defense officials. The aircraft was taken after the man released ropes securing it to the ground and used a service road to take off.
The plane then headed toward Paks, the location of Hungary's sole nuclear power plant. Hungarian military radars detected the unauthorized aircraft, leading to two standby fighter jets being scrambled. The Cessna eventually landed in a sunflower field near Gerjen, where the fighter jets located the damaged plane and maintained a position overhead until rescue crews arrived.
The pilot sustained minor injuries during the landing and subsequently sought help from a passing driver, whom he allegedly attempted to carjack. The driver prevented the suspect from taking the vehicle, and responding officers apprehended the 24-year-old nearby shortly thereafter. Authorities stated the man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, and investigations are ongoing to determine if other substances were involved.
Aviation experts describe such incidents as rare but serious. Steven Arroyo, an aviation expert and retired airline captain, noted that unauthorized aircraft use, especially by someone with limited or no experience and under the influence of alcohol, is extremely dangerous. "The effects of alcohol can be extreme," Arroyo stated, explaining that impaired judgment can be exacerbated at higher altitudes due to reduced oxygen levels.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the plane theft with aviation officials and other experts. The suspect is in custody and faces charges related to the incident. International regulations strictly prohibit the consumption of alcohol by individuals operating aircraft.