Man Steals Cessna from Hungarian Airport, Crashes Near Nuclear Plant

KALOCSA, Hungary — A man stole a Cessna 172 aircraft from Kalocsa Airport on Sunday and flew it toward the Paks Nuclear Power Plant before making an emergency landing near the village of Gerjen. The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 UTC, triggering immediate security alerts across the region.

The unidentified pilot took off without authorization shortly after midday. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft headed east from Kalocsa, moving directly toward the Paks facility, Hungary's only nuclear power station. The flight path raised immediate concerns among aviation authorities and plant security personnel regarding a potential threat to critical infrastructure. Air traffic control scrambled military interceptors as the small plane approached the exclusion zone surrounding the reactor site.

Before reaching the perimeter of the nuclear facility, the aircraft deviated from its course and descended rapidly. Witnesses in the area near Gerjen reported hearing the engine sputter before the plane touched down on a field approximately 15 kilometers south of the power plant. The landing appeared uncontrolled, with the aircraft coming to rest in open farmland rather than on a designated runway.

Emergency services, including fire crews and police units, arrived at the crash site within minutes of the landing. Authorities secured the area and detained the pilot upon extraction from the wreckage. No injuries were reported among the pilot or any civilians in the vicinity. The Cessna 172 sustained significant damage to its landing gear and fuselage but did not catch fire.

The Paks Nuclear Power Plant remained operational throughout the incident, with no disruption to power generation or safety systems. Plant officials stated that security protocols were activated immediately upon detection of the unauthorized flight, ensuring the facility remained secure. The Hungarian government has launched a criminal investigation into the theft and the attempted approach on the nuclear site.

Police have not yet released the identity of the suspect or his motive for the flight. Investigators are examining the pilot's background and any potential connections to extremist groups or individuals with grievances against the state. Questions remain regarding how the man gained access to the aircraft at Kalocsa Airport and whether he had prior aviation training.

As of Sunday evening, the airport remained closed while authorities conducted a forensic examination of the scene. The investigation is ongoing, with officials expected to provide further details once the suspect is interrogated. The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of security measures at smaller Hungarian airfields and the protocols for protecting critical infrastructure from aerial threats.