Stolen Small Plane Crashes into Hangar at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles

VAN NUYS, Calif. — December 18, 2025

A dramatic incident unfolded early Thursday morning at Van Nuys Airport when a single-engine Cessna aircraft, stolen from a local flight school, crashed into a hangar building. Authorities described the event as an attempted theft rather than a traditional hijacking, with no injuries reported and the plane never becoming airborne.

Los Angeles Airport Police confirmed that a suspect trespassed onto airport property around 4 a.m., gained access to the Cessna C172 — a popular four-seat training aircraft — and attempted to operate it on the ground. The plane accelerated across the tarmac before slamming nose-first into the side of a hangar, punching a large hole through the structure.

The suspect, identified by multiple sources as Ceffareno Michael Logan, was quickly apprehended at the scene. He faces charges including burglary and theft of an aircraft. Both the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI responded to the incident, though officials have not indicated any terrorist motive or additional suspects.

Video footage from the crash site, broadcast by local outlets including NBC4 and ABC7, showed the aircraft's nose embedded in the hangar wall, with debris scattered around the impact area. Airport operations were briefly disrupted but resumed normally shortly after.

Van Nuys Airport, a busy general aviation facility in the San Fernando Valley operated by Los Angeles World Airports, is known for flight training and private aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the security breach and the circumstances of the theft.

No ground personnel or other individuals were harmed, and authorities praised the rapid response that prevented further escalation. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about perimeter security at smaller airports.

This event evoked headlines referring to a "hijacked" plane, but officials clarified it involved ground movement only, with the aircraft failing to take off. More details are expected as investigations continue.