A 17-year-old boy was on Friday arrested after he sneaked into a hangar at a private ranch in Gilgil and started a light aircraft before crashing it in a fence.
The spray aircraft registration number 5Y-AZA make PA25 belongs to Peter White, the ranch owner.
White told police he was around Ndume area and later learnt that the minor who hails from the same area had sneaked into the ranch and gotten into the cabin of the aircraft that had been parked at the hangar.
Police at the Gilgil police station said the incident happened at around 9.30 am, about 3 kms southeast of the station.
“He hit the edge of a life fence and aircraft engine went off and the impact made it on its wheels. The propeller and front curling damaged. The suspect escaped unhurt and is in police custody aiding investigations,” the report said.
The minor later told police he is passionate about flying and had learnt much about aircraft’s by virtue of his stay at White’s ranch.
He said he started the aircraft and taxied but it failed to take off.
The aircraft moved a short distance before it crashed onto the edge of a live fence, went off and stalled.
An alarm was raised and the boy was arrested before police were called to pick him up.
The plane was towed to the hanger where experts will examine it for repairs.
