A stolen Cessna 172 took off from Kalocsa in southern Hungary on 29 August and headed towards the Paks nuclear power plant, prompting the Hungarian military to scramble two JAS 39 Gripen fighters. The light aircraft, reportedly flown by a 24-year-old man, forced land near Gerjen a few minutes later, while the fighters remained overhead until police and rescue teams arrived. No injuries were reported.
The response followed radar detection of an unidentified aircraft approaching one of Hungary’s most sensitive protected sites. Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, the defence minister, confirmed the operational interception. The aircraft was taken from Kalocsa airfield and came down in Tolna County, near the nuclear facility.
Several reports described the pilot as confused and possibly intoxicated, and said the Cessna sustained damage on landing. Police later apprehended the suspect, while the Hungarian authorities have not yet disclosed a full investigation outcome or a motive for the flight toward Paks.