16 Jul 20254:39 reconstruction3K views

Stolen Plane Disrupts Vancouver Airport | Reported Cessna 172 Hijack Caught on Radio

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On July 15, 2025, a Cessna 172 operated by the Victoria Flying Club was stolen and flown toward Vancouver International Airport. The aircraft entered the Vancouver area and began circling while controllers managed the developing security situation.

The aircraft was the only aircraft involved in the flight, with one person aboard. Controllers warned other traffic about the aircraft and began moving arriving aircraft away from the area.

One WestJet Boeing 737 was instructed to abort its landing after the small Cessna crossed several miles ahead of it. The incident therefore affected commercial traffic even though the stolen aircraft itself was a small general-aviation airplane.

Vancouver International Airport temporarily halted arriving traffic for approximately 39 minutes. Several aircraft were diverted while the security response was underway.

The Cessna eventually landed safely at Vancouver International Airport. Police immediately surrounded the aircraft and arrested the lone occupant without incident.

Contemporary reporting said the aircraft had been stolen from the Victoria Flying Club. The suspect was subsequently charged with hijacking. Authorities did not provide a public motive in the initial reporting.

The event illustrates how a small aircraft can have an outsized operational effect when it enters controlled airspace during an unresolved security event. Controllers must protect other aircraft while also avoiding unnecessary escalation around the aircraft of concern.

The most important part of the sequence is that the security response remained controlled. Commercial aircraft were kept clear, the airport temporarily restricted arrivals, and the stolen aircraft eventually landed without a collision or forced interception.

A controller warned other traffic that we do have an aircraft that has been hijacked and is in the vicinity of the airport.

Accident Facts

Date
July 15, 2025
Aircraft
Boeing 737 / Cessna 172
Location
Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia
Category
Hijack / Security, Diversion
Timeline
July 15, 2025
A Cessna 172 was stolen from the Victoria Flying Club.
1.
About 1:10 p.m. local time
RCMP received a report that the aircraft was entering the Vancouver area.
2.
Step 3
The Cessna began circling near Vancouver International Airport.
3.
Step 4
Controllers warned other aircraft and moved traffic away.
4.
Step 5
A WestJet 737 was instructed to abort its landing because of the Cessna's position.
5.
Step 6
YVR imposed a temporary ground stop for arriving aircraft.
6.
About 1:45 p.m.
The Cessna landed safely at Vancouver International Airport.
7.
Step 8
Police arrested the sole occupant.
8.
Outcome
The airport resumed arrivals after the security response.
9.

Sources

Global News, July 16, 2025 — https://globalnews.ca/news/11291062/video-suspect-arrested-yvr-alleged-hijacking-small-plane/

AeroTime, July 16, 2025 — https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/cessna-172-stolen-near-vancouver-airport-suspect-arrested

CityNews Vancouver — https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/07/16/vancouver-airport-plane-hijacking-little-information/

the associated record — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEatdVwqims

Audio from the original air traffic control recording, sourced from public recordings and released investigation records. The reconstruction, animation and written account are our own.
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