by Van Nuys, California — A small aircraft crashed into a building at Van Nuys Airport early Thursday morning after a suspect allegedly broke into the airport and attempted to take off with the plane, prompting a swift law enforcement response and a multi-agency investigation.
Authorities said the incident began around 4 a.m., when a man allegedly trespassed onto airport property and gained access to a single-engine aircraft. Roughly an hour later, the plane crashed into a hangar, leaving visible damage to the structure but no reported injuries.
Plane strikes hangar during early-morning incident
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft involved was a Cessna C172, a small single-engine plane commonly used for training and personal flights. The FAA said the plane struck a hangar at approximately 5 a.m.
Law enforcement officials told local media the aircraft never became airborne. Investigators believe the plane collided with the building while taxiing on the ground, rather than during an attempted takeoff.
Photos from the scene showed a large hole in the side of the building, with debris scattered around the crash site. Footage captured later showed the aircraft with a damaged propeller after it was removed and placed inside a nearby structure.
Suspect arrested at the scene
Authorities identified the suspect as Ceffeareno Logan, 37, who was taken into custody shortly after the crash. He was arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft of an aircraft, officials said.
In a statement, airport police said the suspect had unlawfully entered a restricted area.
“The suspect trespassed onto a private leasehold at Van Nuys general aviation airport and gained access to a Cessna aircraft, causing damage to adjacent infrastructure,” airport police said. “Officers responded immediately and took the subject into custody.”
Officials did not say how long the suspect was inside the airport before being discovered or how he was able to access the aircraft.
Federal agencies respond
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office confirmed that federal agents responded to the scene to assist local authorities. It was not immediately clear whether federal charges could be filed or whether the case would remain at the state level.
Authorities also said it remains unclear whether investigators are searching for any additional suspects, though no others have been identified at this time.
Airport operations and safety concerns
Van Nuys Airport is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country and is operated by Los Angeles World Airports. It primarily serves private pilots, business aircraft, and flight training operations rather than commercial passenger flights.
Officials did not indicate that commercial aviation or surrounding neighborhoods were at risk during the incident. Airport operations were not significantly disrupted, and no evacuations were reported.
Still, the incident has raised questions about airport security, particularly at general aviation facilities that operate around the clock.
Investigation continues
Investigators are now working to determine how the suspect gained access to both the airport grounds and the aircraft, as well as what his intentions may have been.
Authorities have not released details about potential motives, nor have they said whether the aircraft had keys inside or if the suspect bypassed security measures to start the plane.
No injuries were reported, and officials emphasized that the situation was quickly contained.
Damage assessment underway
Airport officials are assessing the extent of the damage to the hangar and nearby infrastructure. Repair timelines have not been released, and it remains unclear who will be financially responsible for the damage.
The aircraft itself sustained visible damage, particularly to the propeller, and was removed from the crash site as part of the investigation.
As the case moves forward, authorities say more information will be released once investigators complete their review of surveillance footage, security access points, and witness statements.
Do incidents like this raise concerns about security at smaller airports? Share your thoughts in the comments.
