Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Intoxicated Man Steals Plane, Enters No-Fly Zone, Crash-Lands
A 24-year-old man in Hungary allegedly took a small airplane without permission.
The plane flew into a restricted area near the Paks nuclear power plant.
Hungary sent two fighter jets to find and monitor it.
The plane then landed badly in a sunflower field.
The pilot survived, although reports differed on whether he had no injuries or slight injuries.
He left the crash site and was later found near a road.
Police said he tried to take a driver’s car before officers arrested him.
Tests indicated that he was intoxicated, and investigators are checking how he accessed the aircraft and whether he took other substances.
A 24-year-old man allegedly took a Cessna 172 without permission from Kalocsa Airport in Hungary.
The aircraft entered restricted airspace near the Paks nuclear power plant and was detected by military radar.
Hungary scrambled two Gripen fighter jets, which tracked the aircraft while emergency teams were dispatched.
The plane made an emergency landing in a sunflower field about four miles from the facility and was badly damaged.
Police arrested the man after he allegedly tried to take a passing driver’s car; initial tests indicated intoxication.
- Who
- A 24-year-old man, Hungarian military personnel, emergency responders, and police were involved.
- What
- The man allegedly stole a Cessna 172, entered restricted airspace near a nuclear power plant, crash-landed, and was later arrested.
- When
- The articles do not provide a specific date; the incident unfolded over several minutes before the emergency landing and subsequent arrest.
- Where
- Near Kalocsa Airport and the Paks nuclear power plant in southern Hungary; the aircraft landed in a sunflower field about four miles from the plant.
- Why
- The reason the man allegedly took the aircraft is unknown; authorities are investigating the theft, his access to the plane, and possible substance use.
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172
- Suspect
- 24-year-old man
- Restricted area
- Airspace near the Paks nuclear power plant
- Military response
- Two Gripen fighter jets were scrambled
- Landing site
- A sunflower field approximately four miles from the plant
- Arrest
- Police stopped the man after he allegedly tried to take a passing driver’s car
- Initial test
- Authorities said the man appeared intoxicated
- Plant impact
- The Paks nuclear power plant was unaffected
