VANCOUVER, BC — A dramatic aviation incident unfolded in Canada when a small aircraft, a Cessna 172, was hijacked shortly after takeoff from Victoria International Airport and flown toward Vancouver, forcing a temporary shutdown of air operations at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The incident, which authorities say was carried out by a former commercial pilot, triggered widespread disruption and prompted a major response from air traffic control and emergency services.

According to preliminary reports, the suspect coerced a flight instructor at a flight school in Victoria, threatening them before commandeering the light aircraft. Shortly after takeoff, the Cessna veered off its expected flight path and entered restricted airspace above Vancouver, prompting the Canadian Air Defense Sector to scramble response teams and alert YVR’s emergency protocols.

For nearly 45 minutes, all inbound flights to YVR were held in a holding pattern or diverted, and outbound flights were delayed, effectively paralyzing one of Canada’s busiest transportation hubs. ATC (Air Traffic Control) recordings reveal tense communications as controllers coordinated with responding agencies and attempted to deescalate the situation.

In the latest episode of Captain Steeeve’s Aviation Brief, the event is dissected minute-by-minute. The podcast features live ATC audio, expert insight into how such breaches affect international flight operations, and a breakdown of how even a small, single-engine aircraft can grind a major airport to a halt.

The hijacker eventually landed the aircraft at a remote area of YVR and surrendered to law enforcement without further incident. No injuries were reported, but investigators with Transport Canada, the RCMP, and aviation authorities have launched a full inquiry into how the incident occurred and whether there were missed warning signs in the suspect’s background.

Aviation security experts say the incident underscores ongoing concerns about general aviation vulnerabilities and the need for improved mental health screening and access controls at small airfields.