KEY POINTS

  • A 17-year-old girl breached an airport fence in an attempt to steal a plane
  • The aircraft pivoted and crashed into a nearby building and fence and never left the ground
  • The juvenile was "disoriented and uncooperative" when authorities found her in the pilot's seat 
  • She was arrested and booked at the Fresno County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of theft of an aircraft

A 17-year-old girl managed to breach the fence of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport and attempted to steal a small plane early Wednesday, officials said.

Airport public relations officer Vicky Calderon told Visalia Times Delta that the teenager broke through the airport fencing around 7:30 a.m. and got into a King Air 200 propeller-driven aircraft.

The unnamed girl was able to start one engine and made the aircraft move, but it quickly pivoted and crashed into a nearby building and a fence before it took flight, said CBS News.

Officials had told passengers to not come to Manila's airport as hundreds of flights were cancelled
Officials had told passengers to not come to Manila's airport as hundreds of flights were cancelled AFP / Ted ALJIBE

The crash caused substantial damage to the plane.

The girl was still in the pilot's seat and wearing the pilot headset when airport officials and Fresno police found her. Calderon added that she appeared to be “disoriented and uncooperative” when she was arrested.

“No passengers or commercial airlines were ever at risk in this incident. The motive is still under investigation but there is no indication of any ties to domestic terrorism,” said Calderon.

Airport Police Chief Drew Bessinger on the other hand pointed that anyone who is “motivated enough” can scale over a fence, even if it has barbed wire.

The teen was arrested and later booked at the Fresno County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of theft of an aircraft.

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