Burbank Airport Cited for Possible Mid-Air Collision Risk, According to NTSB Chair
NTSB Raises Alarm Over Potential Mid-Air Collision Risks at Burbank Airport
LOS ANGELES – The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has expressed significant concern regarding the potential for a mid-air collision at Hollywood Burbank Airport. Jennifer Homendy shared her apprehensions during a recent hearing, emphasizing a troubling trend in aviation safety.
Homendy’s comments came in the context of a hearing addressing the devastating crash in Washington, D.C., from January 2025, which claimed the lives of 67 individuals. The incident involved an American Airlines jet colliding with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. During her testimony, Homendy cited a series of institutional failures by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that contributed to this tragedy.
Highlighting the challenges posed by the integration of commercial airline and helicopter traffic, Homendy referred to a wealth of data indicating heightened risks of mid-air collisions under such conditions. In her remarks, she noted that officials from various airlines had conveyed their fears regarding the safety of operations at multiple airports, particularly highlighting Burbank.
“I keep hearing about other areas in the airspace where they’re concerned. Burbank is one. Where commercial airlines have called me to say the next mid-air is going to be at Burbank, and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us,” Homendy stated. “So whether it involves helicopters or not, people are raising red flags, and why aren’t people listening? The FAA has to ensure safety. That is their job.”
Over the past five years, Burbank Airport has reported six near-miss incidents, raising additional alarms about aviation safety in the region.
In response to these concerns, the FAA announced measures aimed at enhancing safety protocols at both Van Nuys and Burbank airports. A statement from the agency revealed that they began utilizing innovative artificial intelligence tools in February 2025 to identify traffic hotspots characterized by high volumes of mixed helicopter and airplane operations. As part of this initiative, the FAA adjusted the traffic pattern at Van Nuys by lowering it by 200 feet to reduce potential conflicts with arrivals at Burbank. Initial data suggested this change has led to a decrease in Traffic Collision Avoidance System alerts for Burbank arrivals.
As discussions on aviation safety continue, the implications of these statements and actions could shape future regulatory frameworks and enhance awareness of risks at urban airports.
