A stolen Cessna 172 temporarily halted air traffic at Vancouver International Airport on March 26, 2024. The private plane, taken from Victoria International Airport, circled the airport, prompting air traffic controllers to ground flights and divert others.
The incident began when the aircraft, utilized for flight training, took off from Victoria, located approximately 40 miles south of Vancouver. Shortly after entering the area, a tower controller alerted other pilots about the situation, stating, “We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked and is in the vicinity of the airport.” This warning allowed surrounding planes to adjust their paths for safety.
Witnesses on the ground observed the plane flying at a low altitude, making sharp turns as it circled the airport. “He was doing quite a radical turn at low altitude,” said Paul Heeney, a witness who spoke with CNN’s partner, CBC. “I went wow, I wonder if he is in trouble.”
In response to the incident, air traffic controllers instructed a WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 to abort its landing. The plane had been approximately four miles from the runway when it was redirected to avoid the “rogue 172.”
After circling for some time, the stolen plane safely landed at Vancouver International Airport, where it was immediately met by police. The suspect, who was alone in the aircraft, was arrested upon landing. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the individual or provided a motive for the theft.
According to a statement from Vancouver International Airport, the security incident resulted in a ground stop for arriving aircraft that lasted 39 minutes. During this time, nine planes were diverted to other airports to ensure safety in the area.
Both police and airport officials have not released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the theft. The incident has raised questions about security measures at small airports and the protocols in place to prevent such occurrences.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to analyze the events leading up to the incident and assess the implications for aviation safety in Canada.
