Whiteman Airport Accident on November 12, 2020

Pacoima Beautiful would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the pilot impacted by his or her tragic passing, we are truly sorry for your loss. And we wish you healing and peace during this difficult time. Please take a moment with us to pause acknowledging the heartbreaking loss of life that occurred at Whiteman Airport. We are saddened by the accident and thankful that no other lives were claimed during this tragic event.

It is with an equal sense of empathy that we also consider the impact to the quality of life an accident of this kind has on the residents that live next door to Whiteman Airport. This incident underscores the persistent hazard that Whiteman Airport presents to residents and businesses in the Pacoima community. While today’s accident is tragic, unfortunately it is not surprising for a community that endures endless hours of low flying airplane traffic. Whiteman airport’s landing flight path brings airplanes over some of the densest housing in the Northeast San Fernando Valley in particular the San Fernando Gardens that houses over 400 families next door to Whiteman Airport.

We urge Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor, Sheila Kuehl, to revisit the lease on Whiteman Airport. We believe there are much better uses for the acres of land that the airport stands on. Our community needs opportunities for affordable housing, economic development, and jobs. Let us recognize this accident as a sign that we cannot afford to wait for an even bigger tragic loss of life to occur. We must be decisive and act now. Whiteman Airport must go! It will take all of us working together to reimagine a better use for Whiteman Airport, and transform it into an asset which the Pacoima community can truly stand to benefit from.

Associated Program: Shutdown Whiteman Airport