A stolen private plane caused significant disruptions at Vancouver International Airport on October 3, 2023, leading to a temporary shutdown of airspace over one of Canada’s busiest airports. The aircraft, a Cessna 172, had taken off from Victoria International Airport, approximately 40 miles away, and began circling the area around Vancouver.
Air traffic controllers quickly alerted pilots of the situation. In a recorded exchange from the website LiveATC.net, a tower controller stated, “We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked and is in the vicinity of the airport.” The warning prompted other flights to adjust their routes as a precautionary measure.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane flying at low altitude and executing sharp turns. “He was doing quite a radical turn at low altitude,” said Paul Heeney, a witness who spoke to CNN’s news partner, CBC. “I went wow, I wonder if he is in trouble.”
As the situation unfolded, air traffic controllers halted incoming flights for 39 minutes to ensure safety. Notably, a WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 was instructed to abort its landing due to the presence of the “rogue 172,” which crossed approximately four miles ahead of the aircraft.
The incident concluded when the stolen plane successfully landed at Vancouver International Airport, where it was immediately surrounded by law enforcement officials. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed by authorities, was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was taken into custody.
In response to the incident, Vancouver International Airport released a statement confirming that a security situation involving a small private aircraft prompted the ground stop for incoming flights. A total of nine planes were diverted to other airports as a precaution.
Authorities have not provided any details regarding the motive behind the theft of the aircraft or the actions of the suspect. The quick response from air traffic controllers and law enforcement ensured that no injuries occurred during this unexpected event.
As investigations continue, the incident raises questions about aircraft security and the protocols in place to handle such situations, particularly at major airports.
