Concerns Grow Over Whiteman Airport’s Future After Recent Plane Crash in Pacoima

Calls for Closure of Whiteman Airport Intensify Following Recent Crash

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. – The recent crash of a small plane in Pacoima has reignited demands for the closure of Whiteman Airport, a site that has seen a troubling frequency of incidents in recent years.

The latest accident occurred on Monday when a Cessna Skyhawk clipped power lines and crashed just north of the airport. Video footage from the scene is now part of an ongoing federal investigation into the incident. By the time emergency responders arrived, bystanders had already pulled the 70-year-old pilot from the wreckage; he remains in critical condition.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel on scene noted, "I haven’t been keeping track, but these are not uncommon." Such comments reflect growing alarm within the community, where residents and business owners express serious concerns about low-flying aircraft.

William Garcia, a local barbershop owner, articulated the worries of many in the area, stating, "They fly too low. They almost hit the poles most of the time." Jaime Shutes, a member of a nearby bike club, echoed this sentiment, adding, "These planes are man-made. All of a sudden it’s going to come down, and here we are."

National Transportation Safety Board records reveal that at least 16 crashes linked to Whiteman Airport have occurred over the past 17 years, some leading to planes landing in residential areas or making emergency landings on train tracks. Shutes noted, "We don’t use the airport. Never been on a plane over here. We go to Burbank. It’s really no use for us."

Local officials are responding to the growing unrest. Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez emphasized the need for action in a statement, saying, "Since 2020, I have called for the closure of Whiteman Airport due to repeated plane crashes," and urged federal investigators to scrutinize the site more closely.

The recent crash also resulted in power outages for nearly 100 customers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, affecting local businesses. Garcia lamented the impact, stating, "We don’t have power, we can’t — no haircuts."

Residents now face the uncomfortable reality of anticipating future accidents rather than if another crash will occur. "It’s a problem for us. Get rid of the problem," Shutes asserted. "There ain’t no need to take a chance with our lives for an airport we don’t even use."

The airport’s runway is located approximately a quarter mile from the site of the plane’s collision with power lines. As of now, county officials have not publicly addressed the mounting calls for the airport’s closure.