A 24-year-old pilot has been arrested in Hungary on suspicion of stealing a light aircraft and landing it in a sunflower field near a nuclear power plant. The suspect allegedly took off from Kalocsa airfield in a Cessna and flew into restricted airspace around the Paks nuclear power plant, conducting 'manoeuvres' over the facility, according to local reports.
Military Response and Emergency Landing
After being detected by military radar, Hungarian authorities deployed two supersonic Gripen fighter jets to follow the aircraft. The Cessna made an emergency landing in a sunflower field in Tolna county, approximately 84 miles south of the capital Budapest.
The pilot appeared to be under the influence of alcohol when he emerged from the crashed plane. According to Hungary's police force, Rendorseg, the suspect then attempted to flee the scene by taking control of a passing car.
Arrest and Investigation
The suspect was found with minor injuries before being arrested by officers, who are now investigating the incident. The police force said it was conducting a joint inspection of Kalocsa airfield alongside the country's aviation authority, with similar checks at other airports to follow.
Hungarian defence minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi shared the incident on Facebook, calling it a 'strange alert'. He said: 'The Hungarian Defense Forces are ready. In the air. On the ground. 24 hours a day. The most important thing, however, is that according to our current information, there was no personal injury. Thank you to the defense forces for their quick response and stance.'
