Airport chaos erupts after driver suddenly smashes through fence, hits plane and tractor: police

A 17-year-old from Rochester, New Hampshire, faces multiple charges after leading state police on a brief pursuit that ended with his vehicle crashing through a perimeter fence at Portsmouth International Airport on Saturday evening.

The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. when a state trooper attempted to stop a black 2008 Ford Mustang on Durham Street in Portsmouth, according to New Hampshire State Police. Authorities had been searching for the vehicle in connection with reported crimes in other local jurisdictions.

The driver, later identified as Wyatt Seely, refused to stop and fled the scene, authorities said. The Mustang, which was operating without its headlights, barreled through the airport's perimeter fence and continued across the aircraft parking apron.

The vehicle then struck a Kubota tractor and a small, unoccupied stationary plane before finally coming to a stop. Seely was found to be intoxicated at the scene, according to authorities.

"State police responded to a pursuit that ended at the airport," officials noted in a statement. "No one else was injured during the incident."

Seely was taken into custody by state troopers and transported to an area hospital for evaluation before being released to face charges. He has been charged with misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI, disobeying a police officer, and conduct after an accident, along with a violation-level charge of reckless driving.

The teen is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Portsmouth District Court on September 9, 2026.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Portsmouth Police and Fire departments, the Newington Police Department, and Pease Fire and Emergency Services.