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:

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath is calling for a federal review of Whiteman Airport (KWHP) operations and a county report on safety improvements following a recent plane crash.
Horvath has also previously explored the possibility of closing the airport and redeveloping its land, but federal regulations and grant assurances legally obligate LA County to keep it open until at least 2041 unless released by the FAA.
NTSB investigations into past accidents at Whiteman Airport have attributed the probable causes primarily to pilot error or maintenance issues, not airport infrastructure or operational 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.