UPDATE: A chaotic scene unfolded at John Wayne Airport (SNA) when an airport security guard, reportedly experiencing a medical emergency, drove a white Toyota Camry at high speed down an active taxiway. The incident, occurring on October 23, 2023, at approximately 1:15 PM, has raised serious safety concerns, although airport operations remained largely unaffected.
Eyewitnesses captured the alarming moment as the sedan sped past commercial airliners, prompting immediate action from authorities. Orange County Sheriff’s Department officers quickly detained the driver, who attempted to barricade himself inside the vehicle before being apprehended. Officials confirmed that the driver was later hospitalized after being assessed for a possible medical condition linked to erratic behavior.
Airport officials, responding to the disturbance, stated, “Due to the subject’s erratic behavior, deputies requested a medical assessment by the Orange County Fire Authority.” The driver’s actions were so perilous that an American Airlines pilot first alerted air traffic control, warning of a “high-speed chase” on the taxiway.
Video footage shows the Camry dangerously close to colliding with parked aircraft, as stunned ground staff looked on. Witness Rijken Vanderweide noted the car’s proximity to an airplane, stating, “He probably would’ve collided with that nose gear and possibly collapsed that front end of the plane.”
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, airport operations were not significantly impacted, with confirmed reports that no injuries or damages occurred. John Wayne Airport is the only commercial airport in Orange County, California, and the second-largest in the Greater Los Angeles area, following Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The incident has reignited discussions about safety protocols at airports, especially regarding access to active movement areas like taxiways and runways. Access to these areas is strictly controlled to prevent potential collisions with taxiing or landing aircraft.
It remains unclear if the vehicle was an airport-owned car or a private one. However, the lack of visible airport markings suggests it was likely a personal vehicle. Such incursions into active aircraft movement areas pose significant risks, even if they occur on taxiways rather than runways.
This incident mirrors a previous security breach at John Wayne Airport in 2021, when an individual hijacked an airport vehicle, leading to a chaotic joyride and a subsequent terminal break-in.
Next steps: Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the driver’s actions and the circumstances surrounding this incident. The individual has been suspended from their security role pending further inquiries.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops. This event serves as a critical reminder of the importance of safety regulations in maintaining secure airport operations.
