Man steals small plane, causing Vancouver airport to shut down
What's the story
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Canada was briefly shut down on Tuesday, July 15, after a Cessna 172 aircraft, allegedly hijacked from Vancouver Island, entered its airspace. The incident led to the diversion of nine incoming flights and a temporary suspension of flight operations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that the suspect was the only occupant of the aircraft and was arrested without incident after landing around 1:45pm PT.
Arrest details
Suspect arrested on runway
The suspect was taken into custody on the runway after the aircraft landed safely at YVR. Videos shared online showed the suspect, with a beard and dressed in a grey T-shirt and dark pants, surrendering to officers with their hands raised. The RCMP confirmed that "the suspect was arrested without incident." Flight operations resumed shortly after, although some delays were expected due to the security situation.
Twitter Post
Visuals from the airport
An unauthorized pilot was arrested at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) after allegedly hijacking a light aircraft from the Vancouver Island area on Tuesday (July 15). pic.twitter.com/mDZW2n2StB
— Aviation (@Onyeabuo) July 16, 2025
Witness accounts
Witnesses describe the scene
The Cessna 172 took off from Victoria International Airport, where the aircraft is used for flight training, flew approximately 40 miles north to Vancouver, and began circling. Witness Paul Heeney described seeing the aircraft flying low in an airspace not typically used by small planes. He saw it making a "big clockwise circle." The particular Cessna 172 is operated by the Victoria Flying Club.