The RCMP and local police are investigating after a young Markham man fatally crashed a stolen propeller plane on Peterborough’s main drag last Friday.

Mohammad Hassan Chaudhary, in his early 20s, died after a Piper Tomahawk he was piloting crashed into the pavement around 1:20 a.m., Global News reported.

“Based on our joint investigation, there is no national security aspect,” said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Penny Hermann.

“The RCMP is providing assistance to local police to determine the circumstances of the crash. We don’t have any information to indicate any link with national security at this point,” added spokesperson Sgt. Harold Pfleiderer in an email.

Afzal Chaudhary, who Global identified as the pilot’s father, expressed ongoing shock over the fatal crash.

“I can’t believe it. Can’t believe it. It’s unimaginable,” he said in an interview with Global Thursday. “I mean, how (can it) happen like this?”

Afzal told Global his son had been diagnosed with schizophrenia two years ago.

“He had mental problems,” Afzal said.

He said his son, who allegedly stole the plane from Markham Airport and flew it more than 100 km to Peterborough, had never taken flight lessons, Global reported: “He had no training at all. None.”

Afzal questioned on camera why the young man was able to bypass security at the private airport to steal a plane.

The airport operator, Allan Rubin, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Afzal told Global his son was highly intelligent, describing him as an “extraordinary genius.”

“He was a nice kid. He was born here in Canada,” he added.

Afzal said he has been co-operating with police, Global reported.

The stolen airplane, a single-engine craft that sat at Markham Airport adjacent to a flight school, belonged to Newmarket resident Don Peck.

Peck told the Star last week the only set of keys for the plane were in his possession at the time of the crash, meaning the plane may have been hot-wired.

York Regional Police spokesperson David Mitchell said police would examine the background of anyone involved in such an unusual crime, noting that plane theft is “very rare.”

“How did he get his hands on this plane or why did he take the plane?” Mitchell asked.

He said someone with little piloting experience could likely still handle a small aircraft such as the one that shattered the early morning stillness in Peterborough one week ago.

“If you’ve got some flight computer skills, flight simulation and stuff like that on the computer, you can get a pretty good handle on it,” he said. “Landing is where you need all the practice.”

The Peterborough Police Service has been investigating the crash, while York police handle the theft.

The incident mangled the cockpit and severed the nose from the aircraft.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

The pilot was declared dead at the scene.

No one else was hurt in the crash.