Melbourne Airport On Lockdown After Student-Pilot Breached Security, Boarded Commercial Plane

Update: 7:15 a.m. EDT — An hour after a student-pilot breached security at the Melbourne International Airport, prompting lockdown of the facility, normal operations resumed.
The Melbourne police tweeted: “The airport terminal is open and has returned to normal operations. Please check with carriers for flight details.”

Original story

Melbourne International Airport in Brevard County, Orlando, was placed on lockdown Thursday after a student pilot reportedly boarded a commercial flight. The unidentified amateur pilot breached airport security and illegally boarded a passenger plane that was undergoing maintenance in the airfield’s facility.

The “college-age’’ student who was carrying a pilot license jumped the fence at the airport in order to gain access to the aircraft just before dawn, airport spokeswoman Lori Booker said, Orlando Sentinel reported.

The individual was apprehended by the police after he boarded the plane. The motive of the student pilot was immediately not known.

Booker confirmed no passengers were present inside the plane or near the area where the incident took place. It was not known which company’s plane the student boarded.

After the student was arrested, law enforcement agents found the suspect’s car parked outside the terminal. It was being investigated.

According to Booker, the airport will be opened only after a thorough sweep of the airfield and the airport have been conducted by investigators.

The Melbourne police tweeted: “Melbourne International Airport is closed until further notice due to police activity. ALL flights suspended at this time. Please avoid the area and we will update you with more information. @MelbourneFL.”

The police did not specify any reason for the lockdown. No other details have been released.