Stolen plane crashes into hangar at Van Nuys Airport; suspect arrested
Single-engine Cessna struck a hangar during taxiing; suspect identified as 37-year-old Ceffeareno Logan
An apparent theft ended with a stolen single-engine Cessna crash into a hangar at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles early Thursday, authorities said. Police reported that the suspect broke into a private leasehold around 4 a.m. and gained access to an aircraft, prompting a rapid response from law enforcement. The Federal Aviation Administration later confirmed the aircraft struck the hangar at about 5 a.m. Investigators identified the suspect as 37-year-old Ceffeareno Logan, who was arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft of an aircraft. LAX Police described Logan as having trespassed onto the private leasehold and gained access to a Cessna, causing damage to nearby infrastructure. LAXPD said they immediately responded and took the subject into custody.
Officials said the hangar sustained a hole from the impact, and photographs from the crash site showed the single-engine plane with damage to its propeller. Authorities said the plane never made it off the ground and appeared to strike the hangar while taxiing, KTLA reported. Investigators noted there was a large opening in the structure, and they were reviewing surveillance footage and other evidence as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Federal authorities confirmed the involvement of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, with agents responding to the scene. The presence of federal agents indicates that investigators could pursue additional charges related to aircraft theft and unlawful entry, in addition to burglary, as the case moves forward. There were no immediate public updates on possible additional suspects, and officials cautioned that information could change as evidence is gathered.
Van Nuys is a general aviation airport operated by Los Angeles World Airports. The incident has raised questions about security at private leaseholds on the field, though officials have not specified any vulnerabilities. As investigators continue their work, authorities plan to review airfield records, interview witnesses, and examine security footage to determine how the intruder accessed the aircraft and whether more than one person was involved. The Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI said the investigation remains ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact investigators. There were no immediate reports of injuries, and officials emphasized that additional details would be released as they become available.
