Phoenix police said the incident began around 11 p.m. Oct. 17, when officers tried to stop a vehicle they associated with an “unlawful street racing group.” The driver did not stop. Police said officers on the ground did not pursue the car and attempted to stop it only after it reached the airport’s locked gate in Scottsdale.

A police helicopter monitored the vehicle, and detectives attached a GPS tracking device to its rear bumper, Phoenix police Sgt. Chris Berrelleza said. When officers attempted to stop the car, the driver reversed into a detective’s vehicle, then drove forward through the damaged gate and onto the runway, according to police. The car later hit a wall and the plane.

The two occupants, identified by police as Liberty Dawn Still, 33, and Michael Gregory Wall, 24, ran from the vehicle across the airport tarmac. Police said Wall resisted and officers used a Taser. Both were taken into custody and booked on felony charges. The specific charges were not disclosed in the information provided by police.

Air traffic control audio captured a warning that a police helicopter was circling above the airport and that a police pursuit had ended on the airfield. Controllers later said the suspects were in custody and that the runway was being checked to confirm it was clear.

Berrelleza said an incident on an active runway could have had catastrophic consequences. Scottsdale police responded to assist with the airport property damage, and the FBI also responded to investigate the alleged trespass onto airport infrastructure. Police did not report whether the incident disrupted airport operations or specify the extent of the damage.