Male student breaks through security fence, steals US passenger plane

Nishal Sankat, 22, is believed to have approached Orlando Melbourne International Airport in Florida, USA, by car and crossed the security fence at around 2am on September 20, according toReuters.

The young man quickly boarded the American Airlines Airbus A321, which was being inspected by a technician. While trying to start the plane, Sankat was caught by the technician and the supervisor. He struggled and ran away but was arrested at the airport.

The airport was temporarily closed due to the incident but reopened at 7am the same day and flights were not affected.

Sankat, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, is studying aviation management at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. Sankat has a pilot's license but is not yet qualified to fly a plane.

Police determined that Sankat's actions were not related to terrorism, but his motives were unclear. In addition to theft and illegal entry, Sankat was also charged with overstaying his visa in the United States.

Last month, a ground crew member of Horizon Air in Seattle, Washington, USA, stole a 76-seat Q400 passenger plane to commit suicide.

Richard Russell, 29, performed dangerous aerial stunts before crashing the plane.Ketron Island, south of Puget Sound, and died.