Sheriff's officials said 25-year-old Troy Long of Bellflower attempted to steal the two-seat Cessna 152 on Friday. Authorities say Long entered the airport office and began taking keys for airplanes. He then pulled a gun on airport workers when they tried to stop him.
He got into the Cessna and started the engine, but he was stopped from going anywhere by a chain connecting the plane to the tarmac.
Deputies arrested Long and turned him over to the FBI, who booked him on suspicion of aircraft piracy.