Cessna 172S accident near Pacoima, California, April 20, 2026
On April 20, 2026 at about 6:07 pm local time, a 2007 Cessna 172S, registered N2126F, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Pacoima, California (Whiteman airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 20, 2026 · about 6:07 pm local time
- Place
- Pacoima, California · Whiteman · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S, built 2007 · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N2126F · registry record · serial 172S10458
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,522.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 12, 2026; 1,321.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: WHP Pacoima CA at 5:59 pm
- Runway 12, 4,120 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 11:00 am from KWHP, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KWHP 201755Z 00000KT 10SM SKC 19/06 A3003
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.