After Impact, 'The Airplane Was Struck By A Passenger Train That Was Traveling Southbound'

Location: Los Angeles, CA Accident Number: WPR22LA076
Date & Time: January 9, 2022, 14:00 Local Registration: N8056L
Aircraft: Cessna 172H Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 09, 2022, about 1400 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172H, N8056L, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Los Angeles, California. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed runway 12 at Whiteman Airport on a visual flight rules local flight. Shortly after takeoff, during the initial climb, the pilot initiated an emergency landing and touched down on an asphalt surface highway about 265 feet west of the runway centerline, and about 50 feet beyond the airport’s southernmost perimeter. During the accident sequence, the airplane collided with a railroad crossing arm, and subsequently came to rest on an active northbound/southbound railroad track.

The airplane came to rest with its nose oriented generally to the east. The airplane sustained damage to the forward left fuselage, the left wing and the left wing lift strut. Additionally, the left main landing gear and the nose landing gear had separated from the airplane. Bystanders and law enforcement officers extricated the pilot from airplane. Seconds later, the airplane was struck by a passenger train that was traveling southbound. The train’s engine struck the airplane’s left wing and aft fuselage.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov