Man Arrested After Stolen Cessna 172 Crashes Into Hangar at Van Nuys Airport

A man was taken into custody early Thursday after a stolen Cessna 172 crashed into a hangar at Van Nuys Airport, causing significant damage but no reported injuries, according to Los Angeles Airport Police.

The incident occurred shortly before 5 am, when the suspect identified as 37‑year‑old Ceffareno Michael Logan allegedly trespassed onto airport property and gained access to an aircraft belonging to a local flight school. Authorities said Logan managed to start the engine and taxi the aircraft onto the tarmac, but the plane never became airborne.

While moving across the ramp, the Cessna veered into the exterior wall of a single‑story hangar, striking the structure nose first. Images from local media showed a large hole in the hangar wall and visible damage to the aircraft’s propeller and forward fuselage. A nearby vehicle was also damaged during the impact, according to the flight school’s owner.

Airport police responded immediately and detained Logan at the scene. He was later booked on suspicion of burglary and theft of an aircraft. The FBI’s Los Angeles field office also responded and is assisting in the investigation.

Van Nuys Airport, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the United States, remained operational following the incident. Officials have not reported any injuries, and the aircraft was moved into a hangar for further examination.