Summit Valley Road near Telephone Canyon Road: a single-engine Aeronca Champion went down in a brush-covered field, killing both people aboard
HESPERIA, CALIFORNIA (September 24, 2026): Guy Kapulnik, 46, of Los Angeles, and Taylor Laska, 33, of Santa Monica, were killed Thursday morning, September 24, when a single-engine Aeronca Champion crashed off Summit Valley Road in Hesperia, according to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office as reported by Victor Valley News. The coroner identified Kapulnik as the pilot and Laska as the passenger.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded at 9:53 a.m. to an airplane crash in the area of Summit Valley Road and Telephone Canyon Road, according to the coroner’s office. The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District told KTLA that firefighters found two people inside the aircraft and that both were pronounced dead at the scene. A photo released by the fire district showed the plane resting in a brush-covered area with its tail still upright, KTLA reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as an Aeronca Champion, and Apple Valley-based Midfield Aviation confirmed the plane belonged to the company, Victor Valley News reported. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating, and no cause has been announced. Authorities have not said where the flight began or what its purpose was.
The NTSB usually issues a preliminary report within about 30 days of an accident, while a final report with a probable cause finding often takes a year or more. Anyone who saw the aircraft before the crash may contact the NTSB or the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Liability for the Hesperia Plane Crash
Under California Civil Code § 1714, every person is generally responsible for harm caused by a failure to use ordinary care, and that includes aircraft owners, operators and maintenance providers. When an aircraft or one of its parts is defective, California product liability law can also allow claims against a manufacturer or parts supplier. In small plane crashes, the questions generally include:
- Maintenance and inspections: Required inspections, logbooks and recent repairs can show whether the Aeronca Champion was airworthy. A company that owns and operates an aircraft generally has a duty to maintain it properly.
- Type of flight: Whether the flight was a rental, a lesson or a private flight affects which duties, agreements and insurance policies apply.
- Mechanical or parts failure: The engine, fuel system and flight controls are typically examined. A defect may point to a manufacturer or parts supplier.
- Conditions that morning: Wind, temperature and visibility in the High Desert on the morning of September 24 are part of any reconstruction of the flight.
Families of those killed may bring wrongful death claims under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. Under federal law (49 U.S.C. § 1154), the NTSB’s own probable cause findings generally cannot be used as evidence in civil lawsuits, which makes an independent investigation important.
Steps to Take After a Hesperia Plane Crash
The NTSB leads the investigation of every civil aviation accident in the United States, usually with support from the FAA. Its process is careful but slow, so families generally benefit from preserving evidence of their own early.
- Follow the NTSB process: The NTSB publishes a preliminary report and later a public docket. Families can also contact the NTSB’s Transportation Disaster Assistance office with questions.
- Preserve the wreckage: After the NTSB releases the wreckage, it is often moved to a storage yard. A written request can help keep it from being destroyed before independent experts inspect it.
- Request records: Maintenance logs, rental or training agreements and the owner’s and operator’s insurance information may all be relevant.
- Be careful with insurers: Insurers for the aircraft owner or operator may reach out quickly. Consider getting advice before signing any release or giving a recorded statement.
Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a public airport or agency is involved, a government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Hesperia Plane Crash
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Guy Kapulnik and Taylor Laska. Important questions remain: What do the Aeronca Champion’s maintenance records show about the weeks before the flight, and had any mechanical problem been reported? And where did the flight begin, and what was its purpose?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck, aviation or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on September 28, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on September 24, 2026.
