Chinese flight student rescued after kidnapping attempt

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California police have arrested two people who were allegedly involved in a failed attempt to kidnap a Chinese student and deport him back to China last week.

The attempt was thwarted when the victim contacted relatives in China, who called local police.

Jonathan McConkey, a pilot and certified flight instructor, is charged with carrying out the would-be kidnapping with his assistant, Kelsi Hoser, a ground instructor. Both reportedly worked at the IASCO flight training school in Redding, California, where the 21-year-old victim, Tianshu Shi, was a flight student

According to a statement from the Redding Police Department, Shi has been in the United States for seven months on a legal student visa.

He said on last Friday morning that somebody had come to his apartment and attempted "to take him away."

Planes at IASCO Flight Training in Redding, California. /VCG Photo

"When Shi refused, McConkey battered him, and threatened physical violence if he did not go with them," the police said in a statement.

All three were found by police at the airport and McConkey and Hoser were arrested on conspiracy and kidnapping allegations.

But police have not yet explained why the pair would want Shi back in his country.

After suffering minor injuries, Shi told the media that he was suspended from flight training two months ago possibly due to his poor English. An ex-flight instructor last year reportedly claimed that some of IASCO’s Chinese students were unable to fly securely as their inadequate English language skills could cause misunderstandings over instructions.

Shi said he was really frightened by the incident but grateful that the police came to his aid.