LA County Scrutinizes Whiteman Airport Operations

Following a recent accident, a supervisor calls for federal review amid questions about the facility's long-term future.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, May 05, 2026 at 04:28 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Whiteman Airport [Credit: Platinum Media]

Key Takeaways:

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is addressing safety concerns at Whiteman Airport (KWHP) following recent crashes, with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath calling for a federal review, a county safety report, and having previously explored its potential closure.
Closing Whiteman Airport faces significant federal hurdles, as LA County's acceptance of federal grants obligates the airport to remain open for at least 20 years from its most recent grant in 2021, unless the FAA releases them from this obligation.
Despite public concerns, NTSB investigations into recent accidents near Whiteman Airport have consistently attributed probable causes to pilot error or maintenance issues, rather than airport infrastructure or procedures.

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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors heard testimony Tuesday from people who have concerns over the status and future of Whiteman Airport (KWHP) in Southern California.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who represents the district where the airport is located in Pacoima, is calling for a federal review of operations and a full report by county officials on ways to improve safety after the April 20 crash of a Cessna 172 that was on approach to land and struck power lines. The airplane crashed in the parking lot of an auto parts store.