Stolen Cessna 172 in Hungary Scrambles Gripens
A Cessna 172 training aircraft was stolen from Hungary’s Kalocsa Airport on the morning of Saturday, August 29. After the 24-year-old suspect took off without authorization and headed toward the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, two JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets were scrambled from Kecskemét Air Base.
Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said the aircraft was detected by military radar within a short time. The LHP1 Paks prohibited area surrounding the plant has a radius of 3 kilometres and extends from ground level up to FL195. HVG reported that the aircraft entered this area and performed manoeuvres over the plant, though this information has not yet been confirmed by an official investigation report.
The aircraft made a forced landing near Gerjen, in Tolna County, a few minutes later. The aircraft was damaged in the landing, but no injuries were reported. The suspect, who was apprehended by police, was described as behaving in a confused manner and, according to local sources, was intoxicated. The Gripens remained overhead until a rescue helicopter and ground teams reached the area.
