The coastal communities of Victoria and Vancouver were jolted from their routine Tuesday evening when a small aircraft was stolen from Victoria International Airport, leading to a tense situation that had residents tracking the plane’s erratic flight path online and authorities scrambling to respond.
Richard Gordon Corra, a 34-year-old Colwood man with no formal flight training, allegedly commandeered a Cessna 172 at approximately 8:30 p.m., taking off without authorization and piloting the aircraft for nearly two hours before being apprehended after landing at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
“This is an incredibly rare occurrence that thankfully ended without physical injuries,” said Corporal Melissa Jongema of the Richmond RCMP, who confirmed officers arrested the suspect shortly after the plane touched down. “The coordination between multiple police agencies, Transport Canada, and airport authorities was essential in resolving this situation safely.”
The unauthorized flight created ripples of concern throughout coastal British Columbia. Flight tracking websites showed the small aircraft circling erratically over the Strait of Georgia before approaching Vancouver International Airport, where it performed several loops around the facility before landing.
Victoria International Airport officials reported the theft occurred during evening hours when flight operations were winding down. According to Kevin Howlett, former Air Canada executive and aviation safety consultant, the security breach raises significant questions.
“Small regional airports often have different security protocols than major international hubs,” Howlett explained during a CBC Radio interview this morning. “Many of these smaller aircraft don’t require keys in the traditional sense—they have relatively simple ignition systems that someone with basic mechanical knowledge could potentially operate.”
The suspect reportedly had no formal pilot training, making the incident all the more alarming to aviation experts. Gordon Price, former transportation policy analyst, noted the surprising nature of the event.
“Most people don’t realize that physically operating an aircraft—getting it off the ground and keeping it airborne—is potentially achievable for someone without training. The difficult parts are navigation, communication with air traffic control, and of course, landing safely,” Price said.
The RCMP confirmed Corra faces multiple charges including theft over $5,000, dangerous operation of an aircraft, and transportation-related offences. He appeared before a justice of the peace Wednesday and remains in custody.
For residents of Victoria and Vancouver, the incident created an unusual evening of tension. Social media lit up with comments from locals tracking the plane’s movement on flight radar applications.
“We were watching it circle over Richmond for what seemed like forever,” said Surrey resident Amrita Singh, who lives near YVR’s flight path. “Everyone in our neighborhood WhatsApp group was sharing updates and wondering what was happening.”
Transport Canada has launched an investigation into the security breach, according to spokesperson Martin Leduc. “We’re working closely with both airports to determine exactly how this occurred and what measures need to be implemented to prevent similar incidents.”
The aircraft, owned by the Victoria Flying Club, was recovered undamaged. The club’s chief flight instructor, Marcel Rivard, expressed relief that no one was injured but declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
This incident comes at a time when smaller Canadian airports have been advocating for infrastructure funding to upgrade aging facilities, including security systems. The Canadian Airports Council noted in their 2023 policy brief that regional airports often struggle with maintaining comprehensive security measures due to budget constraints.
Colwood Mayor Rob Martin expressed concern about the incident affecting his community. “This is obviously deeply troubling. While we’re grateful no one was hurt, it raises serious questions about airport security that need addressing,” Martin said in a statement Wednesday morning.
The brazen theft disrupted operations at YVR, with several commercial flights delayed during the incident. Airport officials activated emergency protocols, but kept runways operational throughout the ordeal.
Aviation security expert Jody Thomson suggests the incident might prompt Transport Canada to review security requirements at smaller airports. “There’s always a balance between operational practicality and security at regional airports. This incident will likely trigger a reassessment of that balance across Canada.”
As the investigation continues, residents throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island are left wondering how a person without flight training managed to steal and fly an aircraft for nearly two hours before being apprehended.
“The fact that someone could take an aircraft without authorization and fly it between two major population centers represents a serious security breach,” noted Simon Fraser University criminologist Rob Gordon. “Authorities will need to determine whether this was an isolated incident or if it exposes systemic vulnerabilities.”
For now, operations at both airports have returned to normal, but the incident has left coastal British Columbians with lingering questions about aviation security and the seemingly improbable sight of a stolen plane circling overhead on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday evening.
