A 24-year-old man triggered major security concerns after stealing a plane while drunk and flying it toward a Hungarian nuclear power plant. To handle the situation, two fighter jets were scrambled after the aircraft's position was identified on military radar. The incident took place on Saturday morning at Kalocsa Airport in Hungary. Police stated that the young man untied the ropes securing the aircraft to the ground, boarded a Cessna 172, and took off using one of the airport's service roads.
After takeoff, the aircraft headed toward the city of Paks, the area where Hungary's only nuclear power plant is located. When the matter came to the attention of the military, the movement of the aircraft was tracked on radar, and two standby fighter jets were quickly ordered to take off. Later, the Cessna made an emergency landing in a sunflower field near the Gerjen area. Upon arriving there, the fighter jets identified the position of the damaged aircraft and remained airborne until a rescue team arrived.
During the emergency landing, the young man sustained minor injuries. Afterwards, he walked through the field to a nearby road, where he asked a driver for help. However, police reported that shortly afterward, he also attempted to take that vehicle. The driver prevented him from taking the car and driving away. Minutes later, police officers who arrived at the scene detained the young man from the nearby area.
According to preliminary police information, the individual was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Authorities are investigating whether he had consumed any other drugs. An investigation is underway regarding the plane theft and related circumstances with the assistance of aviation authorities and relevant experts. Legal action is being taken against the detained individual on charges related to the incident.
