Latest news with #stolenplane
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Pilot with 'ideological motive' steals small aircraft and disrupts major international airport operations
A stolen plane triggered a major security incident at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Tuesday afternoon, temporarily halting operations and forcing multiple flights to reroute. Just before 1:30 p.m. local time on July 15, a "security incident" involving a small private plane led to a temporary halt in airport operations, according to a statement from YVR. The plane, flying within YVR's airspace, forced nine incoming flights to reroute to different airports. At approximately 1:45 p.m., following a 39-minute air traffic suspension, the Cessna 172, operated by a single individual, safely landed. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) then apprehended the pilot. In an air traffic control recording obtained by the Vancouver Sun via a controller alerted other pilots: "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." Passenger In Custody After 'Direct Threat' To Airplane Shuts Down Seattle Airport Runways "They are currently flying overhead," a voice from air traffic control can be heard saying. "At this time, I have no further updates. We have the aircraft in visual range—please stand by for further instructions." Read On The Fox News App Later, air traffic controllers instructed grounded aircraft to remain on standby during the ongoing situation:"We're not certain what will happen next. The aircraft continues to circle above, and its intentions remain unknown. For now, we are holding position." RCMP later confirmed that the aircraft had been taken from Victoria International Airport and had flown around 40 miles into Vancouver's airspace. Manhunt After Inmate Escapes At Seattle Airport, Boards Train A spokesperson for Vancouver Airport Authority said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the issue involving a plane from the Victoria Flying Club had been resolved without injury. "Safety and security are our top priorities, and we continually review our processes and procedures in service of our operation, our passengers, and our airline customers," the statement read. "Following any significant situation or emergency operations activation and as part of our standard procedures, we debrief on what took place and make recommendations for changes or improvements where necessary." One eyewitness, speaking to CBC, described seeing the low-flying aircraft and suspected something was wrong. "A few minutes later, the plane made a second pass, circling in a wide clockwise turn," eyewitness Paul Heeny told CBC. Us Man Hijacks Small Plane In Belize, Stabs 3 People Before He's Shot Dead On July 16, RCMP revealed the identity of the pilot as 39-year-old Shaheer Cassim, who now faces a hijacking charge. Authorities allege he threatened a flight instructor at YYJ before taking control of the aircraft. RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Tammy Lobb said in a press release that the suspect appeared to have an "ideological motive" aimed at disrupting air traffic. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Police noted that the investigation is still in its early stages and remains active. British Columbia's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Garry Begg, praised the swift actions of first responders. "Grateful for the professionalism shown by police, air traffic control, and airport staff during today's incident," he posted on X. "Relieved there were no injuries and that normal operations have resumed." The airport says flights have resumed at YVR, though minor delays may persist. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates. Fox News Digital reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but did not immediately receive a article source: Pilot with 'ideological motive' steals small aircraft and disrupts major international airport operations Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
7 days ago
- Fox News
Pilot with 'ideological motive' steals small aircraft and disrupts major international airport operations
A stolen plane triggered a major security incident at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Tuesday afternoon, temporarily halting operations and forcing multiple flights to reroute. Just before 1:30 p.m. local time on July 15, a "security incident" involving a small private plane led to a temporary halt in airport operations, according to a statement from YVR. The plane, flying within YVR's airspace, forced nine incoming flights to reroute to different airports. At approximately 1:45 p.m., following a 39-minute air traffic suspension, the Cessna 172, operated by a single individual, safely landed. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) then apprehended the pilot. In an air traffic control recording obtained by the Vancouver Sun via a controller alerted other pilots: "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." "They are currently flying overhead," a voice from air traffic control can be heard saying. "At this time, I have no further updates. We have the aircraft in visual range—please stand by for further instructions." Later, air traffic controllers instructed grounded aircraft to remain on standby during the ongoing situation:"We're not certain what will happen next. The aircraft continues to circle above, and its intentions remain unknown. For now, we are holding position." RCMP later confirmed that the aircraft had been taken from Victoria International Airport and had flown around 40 miles into Vancouver's airspace. A spokesperson for Vancouver Airport Authority said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the issue involving a plane from the Victoria Flying Club had been resolved without injury. "Safety and security are our top priorities, and we continually review our processes and procedures in service of our operation, our passengers, and our airline customers," the statement read. "Following any significant situation or emergency operations activation and as part of our standard procedures, we debrief on what took place and make recommendations for changes or improvements where necessary." One eyewitness, speaking to CBC, described seeing the low-flying aircraft and suspected something was wrong. "A few minutes later, the plane made a second pass, circling in a wide clockwise turn," eyewitness Paul Heeny told CBC. On July 16, RCMP revealed the identity of the pilot as 39-year-old Shaheer Cassim, who now faces a hijacking charge. Authorities allege he threatened a flight instructor at YYJ before taking control of the aircraft. RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Tammy Lobb said in a press release that the suspect appeared to have an "ideological motive" aimed at disrupting air traffic. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Police noted that the investigation is still in its early stages and remains active. British Columbia's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Garry Begg, praised the swift actions of first responders. "Grateful for the professionalism shown by police, air traffic control, and airport staff during today's incident," he posted on X. "Relieved there were no injuries and that normal operations have resumed." The airport says flights have resumed at YVR, though minor delays may persist. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates. Fox News Digital reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but did not immediately receive a response. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
CTV National News: Man who stole Cessna charged with hijacking and terrorism
Watch Norad scrambled Canadian and U.S. fighter jets to Vancouver airport to intercept a stolen small plane. Andrew Johnson has the latest.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Stolen small plane circles Vancouver airport as controllers ground flights and pilots abort landings
A stolen private plane caused a temporary shutdown of the airspace over Vancouver International Airport, one the busiest in Canada, on Tuesday. The Cessna 172 took off from Victoria International Airport, where it is used for flight training, and flew north about 40 miles to Vancouver and started circling. 'We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked and is in the vicinity of the airport,' a tower controller warned other planes in a recording from the website 'Just in case anything starts heading toward your you have the ability to move at your discretion.' People on the ground watched the plane dip low and circle as air traffic controllers moved other aircraft out of the way. One of those planes was a WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 which was instructed to abort its landing due to the 'rogue 172' crossing about four miles in front of them. 'He was doing quite a radical turn at low altitude,' witness Paul Heeney, told CNN newsgathering partner CBC. 'I went wow, I wonder if he is in trouble.' The stolen plane eventually landed safely at Vancouver International and was immediately surrounded by police. The suspect, who was not identified by authorities, was the only person inside and was arrested. 'A security incident involving a small private aircraft in the airspace near YVR prompted a temporary ground stop for arriving aircraft,' the airport said in a statement. Planes were stopped from arriving for 39 minutes and nine planes were diverted to other airports. Police and the airport did not provide any motive or other explanation as to why the plane was stolen. CNN's Paula Newton contributed to this report.
CNN
16-07-2025
- CNN
Stolen small plane circles Vancouver airport as controllers ground flights and pilots abort landings
A stolen private plane caused a temporary shutdown of the airspace over Vancouver International Airport, one the busiest in Canada, on Tuesday. The Cessna 172 took off from Victoria International Airport, where it is used for flight training, and flew north about 40 miles to Vancouver and started circling. 'We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked and is in the vicinity of the airport,' a tower controller warned other planes in a recording from the website 'Just in case anything starts heading toward your you have the ability to move at your discretion.' People on the ground watched the plane dip low and circle as air traffic controllers moved other aircraft out of the way. One of those planes was a WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 which was instructed to abort its landing due to the 'rogue 172' crossing about four miles in front of them. 'He was doing quite a radical turn at low altitude,' witness Paul Heeney, told CNN newsgathering partner CBC. 'I went wow, I wonder if he is in trouble.' The stolen plane eventually landed safely at Vancouver International and was immediately surrounded by police. The suspect, who was not identified by authorities, was the only person inside and was arrested. 'A security incident involving a small private aircraft in the airspace near YVR prompted a temporary ground stop for arriving aircraft,' the airport said in a statement. Planes were stopped from arriving for 39 minutes and nine planes were diverted to other airports. Police and the airport did not provide any motive or other explanation as to why the plane was stolen. CNN's Paula Newton contributed to this report.
