A pilot, believed to be intoxicated, stole a light aircraft and flew it into a no-fly zone near Hungary's sole nuclear power plant before crash-landing in a sunflower field, authorities reported.
The Cessna 172 aircraft was detected by military radar on Saturday as it approached the Paks nuclear power plant, located in the south of Hungary. The plant has a protected status, prohibiting civilian aircraft from coming within two miles or below 20,000 feet.
In response to the intrusion, two Hungarian Gripen fighter jets were dispatched to the area. Within minutes, the Cessna made an emergency landing approximately four miles from the plant.
Fighter jets tracked the aircraft until a rescue helicopter and ground emergency services arrived. The pilot, a 24-year-old man, was reportedly uninjured despite the aircraft sustaining significant damage. The Paks nuclear facility, which generates about half of Hungary's electricity, was undamaged.
Investigators believe the pilot stole the plane from the nearby Kalocsa Airport without authorization. After the crash, the man allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot. A passing motorist spotted him walking along a road in a distressed state and was then allegedly accosted by the pilot, who reportedly tried to take control of the vehicle.
Police arrived and arrested the man. Initial tests suggest he was intoxicated at the time of the incident, and further tests are being conducted to ascertain if other substances were involved. Authorities are investigating the pilot's motives and the circumstances surrounding his acquisition of the aircraft, with checks planned at other Hungarian airports.