An incident unfolded at a flight school in Los Angeles where an unauthorized individual stole and subsequently crashed a single-engine Cessna into a building at a major airport.

The theft took place at Van Nuys Airport in the early hours of Thursday, with one suspect now in custody. Startling visuals captured the plane colliding head-on with the structure, causing significant damage to the hangar’s exterior. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft struck the building at approximately 5am local time.

Law enforcement teams from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the FBI quickly responded to the scene. The LAPD announced the arrest of a suspect on charges related to burglary and the unlawful taking of an aircraft. It remains unclear if there were any injuries resulting from the crash or if additional suspects are being sought.

According to reports from KTLA, the stolen plane originated from a flight training facility near Balboa Boulevard. The FBI disclosed that the aircraft was on the ground, not in flight, when it collided with the hangar. Subsequently, the plane was safely removed and relocated inside the flight academy’s premises.

An investigation into the incident has been initiated by the FAA, with a spokesperson emphasizing that the inquiry is in its early stages and information may evolve as more details emerge.

Van Nuys Airport, situated in the San Fernando Valley, is renowned as one of the busiest airports globally, overseen by the Los Angeles World Airports authority. This location, which caters to over 200 businesses, offers a range of services including aircraft fueling, storage, and private charter flights.