A 17-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a plane before crashing it into an airport in California, US authorities say.

The girl, who has not been named, is accused of climbing a fence near Fresno Yosemite International Airport's maintenance building at around 7.30am on Wednesday, NBC News reports.

She is then alleged to have gained access to a private King 200 propeller-driven aircraft and started one of its engines, Fresno Police Chief Drew Bessinger said.

He added that the plane began to move and pivot but did not become airborne.

The plane was damaged after crashing through a fence and into a nearby building.

No one was injured.

Mr Bessinger said the teenager was found sat in the pilot's seat of the aircraft.

She was still wearing the pilot's headset, was uncooperative and appeared to be disorientated, he added.

Mr Bessinger said the teenager is being held in custody accused of stealing an aircraft.

He added that a motive is still being determined but the case doesn't appear to be linked to domestic terrorism.

Authorities said no commercial passengers or aircraft were at risk.

The girl's mother said her daughter ran away from home on Tuesday night, CBS News reports.

Compiled by Olalekan Adeleye

Sky News