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April 20, 2026 · Cessna 172S · N2126F

Pacoima, CA

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2026
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Pacoima, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172S (2007)
Tail Number
N2126F
Operator
Vista Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR26LA164

On April 20, 2026, about 1107 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N2126F, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Whiteman Airport (WHP), Pacoima, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of ADS-B data revealed the airplane departed from runway 12 at WHP and remained within the airport traffic pattern. The airplane continued on the downwind leg until it was about 5 nautical miles (nm) northwest of the airport when a left turn to base was made. The data showed that at 1104:03, the airplane continued the turn left onto final for runway 12 at an altitude of 1,775 ft mean sea level (msl) and ground speed of 74 knots. Throughout the final approach leg to the runway, altitude steadily decreased while ground speed fluctuated from 74 knots to 94 knots until 1106:01. Over the final 1 minute, 22 seconds of recorded ADS-B data, the ground speed decreased to approximately 55 knots, and altitude had decreased to about 1,000 ft msl. ADS-B contact was lost about 0.4 nm northwest of the runway 12 threshold. A witness video showed the airplane on final approach to runway 12 as it impacted powerlines and terrain about 0.3 miles northwest of the runway threshold. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination. WHP was a tower controlled airport operating under class-D airspace. The airport is equipped with two runways, runway 12 and runway 30. Runway 12 was equipped with a 2-light Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), located on the right side of the runway, and set at a 3.8° glideslope.

Full Narrative

On April 20, 2026, about 1107 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N2126F, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Whiteman Airport (WHP), Pacoima, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of ADS-B data revealed the airplane departed from runway 12 at WHP and remained within the airport traffic pattern. The airplane continued on the downwind leg until it was about 5 nautical miles (nm) northwest of the airport when a left turn to base was made. The data showed that at 1104:03, the airplane continued the turn left onto final for runway 12 at an altitude of 1,775 ft mean sea level (msl) and ground speed of 74 knots. Throughout the final approach leg to the runway, altitude steadily decreased while ground speed fluctuated from 74 knots to 94 knots until 1106:01. Over the final 1 minute, 22 seconds of recorded ADS-B data, the ground speed decreased to approximately 55 knots, and altitude had decreased to about 1,000 ft msl. ADS-B contact was lost about 0.4 nm northwest of the runway 12 threshold. A witness video showed the airplane on final approach to runway 12 as it impacted powerlines and terrain about 0.3 miles northwest of the runway threshold. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination. WHP was a tower controlled airport operating under class-D airspace. The airport is equipped with two runways, runway 12 and runway 30. Runway 12 was equipped with a 2-light Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), located on the right side of the runway, and set at a 3.8° glideslope.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:07 PDT
Nearest AirportWHITEMAN (0.5nm NW)
Runway12
Runway Length4120 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN2126F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorVista Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 43 F
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time11:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data