A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1546597
20 WESTERN PACIFIC WESTERN PACIFIC REGION REGION Moments after a student pilot lifted off from Van Nuys Airport (VNY) on his first solo flight, his Piper Cherokee's right landing gear detached from the aircraft and fell onto the runway. What followed required controllers Steve Kozik and Peter "PJ" Juanpere to coordinate traffic, emergency responders, and surrounding facilities while coaching the student pilot through an emergency landing. Despite having no major commercial airline service, Van Nuys is a busy Level 9 Class D airport, serving more than 20 flight schools, charter and private jet operators, medical aircraft, firefighting operations, and news helicopters. The airport sits beneath Burbank's Class Charlie airspace and near Whiteman Airport (WHP), creating a dense and complex operating environment. Kozik began his FAA career in 2007 after completing the Collegiate Training Initiative program at Mt. San Antonio College. He worked at New York TRACON (N90), Santa Monica ATCT (SMO) and Los Angeles International ATCT (LAX) before returning to VNY, where he has spent much of his career. Juanpere, a commercial pilot with single- and multiengine ratings, studied aviation and air traffic control at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University before joining the FAA in 2008 to pursue a career in air traffic control. He worked at Washington Dulles (IAD) and Miami ATCT/TRACON (MIA) before transferring to VNY in 2016. At 1:21 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2026, N51467, the Piper Cherokee flown by the student pilot departed Runway 34L for pattern work. Moments after liftoff, the aircraft's right landing gear detached from the aircraft and fell onto the runway. Another pilot waiting for departure saw the gear separate from the aircraft and alerted the tower. Juanpere, working the local assist position, coordinated with ground control and airport operations to retrieve the landing gear and clear the runway for an emergency landing. Kozik, working local control, calmly advised the student pilot that his aircraft was missing its right landing gear. Kozik then worked to reroute pattern traffic to the parallel runway and sequence arrivals safely. Juanpere coordinated with Southern California TRACON (SCT) to halt arrivals to Runway 34L and with Burbank ATCT Peter "PJ" Juanpere Van Nuys ATCT VNY Steve Kozik Van Nuys ATCT VNY Peter "PJ" Juanpere Steve Kozik