LA County Seeks Federal Review, 7-Day Safety Plan at Whiteman Airport

Overview

• Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s motion, taken up Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors, asks the FAA and NTSB to fast-track their review of the April 20 crash and to coordinate on fixes.
• The motion directs Public Works to propose near-term safety steps within seven days, including timelines, costs, funding options, and a clear map of who does what across local and federal agencies.
• A Cessna 172 on approach struck power lines on April 20 and flipped in a parking lot near the Pacoima field, injuring the lone pilot and harming no one on the ground.
• Aviation groups, including AOPA and the Whiteman Airport Coalition, say the county is overstepping on federal matters and complain the plan sidelines industry input, with the coalition also accusing Horvath of freezing past FAA-funded upgrades.
• Community groups press for closure and redevelopment, yet FAA grant rules known as Grant Assurances require airports that took federal money to stay open unless the agency grants a release, and Whiteman’s most recent grant in 2021 extends that obligation.