A stolen private plane prompted significant disruption at Vancouver International Airport on March 12, 2024. The incident began when a Cessna 172, which had taken off from Victoria International Airport, flew approximately 40 miles north to Vancouver and began circling the airport. The air traffic control tower issued warnings to pilots, indicating that the aircraft had been hijacked.
During the event, a tower controller advised other flights, stating, “We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked and is in the vicinity of the airport. Just in case anything starts heading toward you, you have the ability to move at your discretion.” This warning resulted in a temporary halt of arriving flights, effectively grounding multiple aircraft as the situation unfolded.
Witnesses on the ground observed the plane flying at a low altitude, making erratic turns. One observer, Paul Heeney, described the scene, stating, “He was doing quite a radical turn at low altitude. I went wow, I wonder if he is in trouble.” The incident escalated as a WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 was instructed to abort its landing due to the proximity of the “rogue 172,” which crossed about four miles in front of the aircraft.
The disruption lasted for nearly 40 minutes, during which time nine flights were diverted to other airports. According to a statement from Vancouver International Airport, “A security incident involving a small private aircraft in the airspace near YVR prompted a temporary ground stop for arriving aircraft.”
Eventually, the stolen Cessna landed safely at Vancouver International Airport, where it was immediately surrounded by police. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was taken into custody. Authorities have not provided any details regarding the motive behind the theft or the intentions of the individual involved.
As air traffic controllers and law enforcement managed the situation, the potential risk to both passengers and crew was mitigated through quick actions. The incident highlights the challenges faced by aviation authorities in ensuring flight safety in the face of unexpected security threats.
The response from both airport officials and law enforcement demonstrates a commitment to maintaining secure airspace. Further investigations are likely to be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the theft and the actions of the suspect.
