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Hungary scrambles fighter jets after stolen Cessna flies toward Paks nuclear plant
A 24-year-old man was arrested in Hungary after allegedly stealing a Cessna 172 from the Kalocsa airfield and flying it toward the Paks nuclear power plant, a critical facility providing approximately 50 percent of the nation's electricity.
The unauthorized flight triggered a military response, with two JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets scrambled from Kecskemét air base to intercept the aircraft. Before the jets could establish visual contact, the pilot performed an emergency landing in a sunflower field near Gerjen in Tolna County. The aircraft sustained significant damage to its fuselage and landing gear.
Following the crash, the suspect reportedly attempted to flee the scene by trying to take control of a passing motorist's vehicle, but he was prevented from doing so by the driver and subsequently apprehended by police. Authorities stated the man was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Upon sobering up, the suspect reportedly claimed he had no memory of the theft or the flight. No injuries were reported during the incident, and the Paks nuclear plant remained unaffected.
Entities
Cessna 172 · Hungarian Defence Forces · JAS-39 Gripen · Kalocsa Airfield · Paks Nuclear Power Plant · Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 13 SOURCES] The aircraft made an emergency landing in a field near Gerjen in Tolna County. www.vol.at · de.rt.com · tribuneonlineng.com · prv.mk · avioradar.net · +8 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] The 24-year-old suspect claimed he could not remember the theft or the flight due to intoxication. www.vol.at · prv.mk · de.rt.com · aviation.direct · www.fehmarn24.de · +9 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Defence Minister stated that no personal injuries were reported. tribuneonlineng.com · aviation.direct · avioradar.net
- [● 13 SOURCES] A Cessna 172 was stolen from an airfield near Kalocsa. www.vol.at · de.rt.com · tribuneonlineng.com · prv.mk · avioradar.net · +8 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] A 24-year-old man was intoxicated following the incident. www.vol.at · de.rt.com · tribuneonlineng.com · prv.mk · avioradar.net · +9 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Two JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets were deployed to intercept the aircraft. de.rt.com · tribuneonlineng.com · prv.mk · www.vol.at · avioradar.net · +8 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The aircraft was detected on military radar flying toward the Paks nuclear power plant. www.vol.at · de.rt.com · tribuneonlineng.com · prv.mk · avioradar.net · +8 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] The suspect attempted to flee the crash site by taking control of a passing vehicle. www.vol.at · de.rt.com · tribuneonlineng.com · prv.mk · avioradar.net · +9 more