Drunk Hungarian man steals plane near nuclear plant
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Hungary's military and police responded to a rare aviation security scare after a 24-year-old man allegedly took a light aircraft without permission from Kalocsa Airport and flew toward the country's only nuclear power plant. Radar detected the aircraft entering protected airspace near the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, prompting the scramble of two JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets. Minutes later, the Cessna 172 made a hard landing in a sunflower field about 6.4 kilometres, or roughly four miles, from the plant, and no damage was reported at the facility. Police said the suspect was intoxicated, tried to flee after landing, and was arrested after allegedly attempting to seize a passing driver's vehicle.
Key Points
- The incident happened on Saturday, 29 August, when the 24-year-old allegedly stole a Cessna 172 from Kalocsa Airport and took off without authorization
- Hungary's Defence Minister, Romulusz, confirmed military radar tracked the civilian aircraft after it entered restricted airspace near the Paks nuclear facility
- The Paks plant supplies about half of Hungary's electricity and is protected by a no-fly zone of roughly three kilometres and below 6,000 metres.
- Two Gripen fighter jets were scrambled, while the aircraft later came down hard in a sunflower field around 6.4 kilometres from the plant.
- Police said the plane was badly damaged, the suspect was unhurt, and tests indicated he was drunk, with further drug screening under way.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case is a reminder that even a small civilian aircraft can trigger a major military and security response when critical infrastructure is involved. It also shows how airport access control, airspace monitoring and emergency coordination can become urgent national security issues within minutes.