Whiteman Airport Timeline of Events
Working Toward Closure
2009 and November 2020
15 aviation accidents involving Whiteman Airport aircraft
November 12, 2020
Single-engine Cessna aircraft fatally crashes in Pacoima, killing the pilot and damaging at least one home and several vehicles
December 2020
Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopts a resolution calling for the closure of Whiteman Airport
December 8, 2020
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passes motion to “[e]ngage local stakeholders . . . to undertake a community driven master plan for Whiteman Airport that maintains the property’s primary function as an airport but provides for the creation of local jobs, community beneficial uses, and open space opportunities; [c]onduct appropriate environmental studies to assess the airport’s potential environmental and health risks; [c]reate a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide residents with opportunities for local input on airport operations; [and] [d]evelop emergency response protocol for both on-airport and off-airport accidents.”
January 9, 2022
Single-engine Cessna aircraft crashes on railroad tracks
January 25, 2022
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors instructs Public Works to explore the initial steps in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) airport closure application process
April 20, 2022
Twin-engine Cessna aircraft departing from Whiteman Airport crashes in Sylmar, killing the pilot
October 18, 2023
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalizes its endangerment finding that leaded aviation gas may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare under the Clean Air Act. Leaded aviation gas is used by piston-engine aircraft. Aviation gas is “the only transportation fuel in the United States that contains lead.” About 90% of all aircraft operating in and out of Whiteman Airport are piston-engine aircraft that use only leaded aviation gas. In 2025, there were about 97,300 takeoffs and landings at Whiteman Airport by piston-engine aircraft. Flight operations are projected to increase each year.
“Lead emissions from aircraft are an important and urgent public health issue. Protecting children’s health and reducing lead exposure are two of EPA’s top priorities. Lead exposure can have harmful effects on cognitive function, including reduced IQ, decreased academic performance, as well as increased risk for additional health concerns. There is no evidence of a threshold below which there are no harmful effects on cognition from lead exposure.”
Sources:
November 7, 2023
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passes motion for additional studies and plans involving Whiteman Airport:
- For Public Works to develop a plan to eliminate the impacts of leaded aviation gas
- For Public Works to develop a plan for a voluntary curfew at the airport from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am
- For Public Health to assess blood lead level data around the airport
- To advocate with the state Department of Public Health to assess blood lead level of children around the airport
September 23, 2023
Community Advisory Committee (CAC) releases its final recommendations in an over 2,000-page report advising the County to “pursue airport closure”
February 5, 2024
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health shares findings with the public 1.5 mile radius around property boundaries of Whiteman Airport from its examination of about 11,000 samples of blood lead levels of children under 6 years.
“Based on the analysis completed by CLPPB, the percent of children under 6 years old with a blood lead level equal to or greater than the CDC Blood Lead Reference Value (BLRV) of 3.5 mcg/dL within 1.5 miles of Whiteman Airport is 1.75% compared to 2.26% for rest of Los Angeles County. Based on the analysis, it does not appear that there is an increase in the number of children under 6 years old within 1.5 miles of Whiteman Airport with blood lead levels equal or greater than the BLRV.”
At the same time, the Department of Public Health recognized a limitation of its findings: “There is no safe level of lead in children’s blood. This analysis only categorizes BLLs as above or below the CDC’s BLRV (3.5 mcg/dL).”
https://www.whplandusestudy.com/
April 9, 2024
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directs Public Works to develop “a plan and cost estimate to conduct a study of potential land uses for the 184-acre Whiteman Airport Property, both as an operational airport and if the airport were to close, along with an economic analysis of the impacts to the County and the Pacoima community if the airport were to close.”
October 22, 2024
Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity requests $1.3 million to contract with Trifiletti Consulting to conduct an economic impact analysis and land use study for the potential closure of Whiteman Airport. The study would have 4 phases: (1) Confirmation of Airport Closure Process; (2) Existing Conditions Analysis; (3) Options Development Incorporating Stakeholder Input; and 4) Economic Impact Analysis of Preferred Options.
https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/196822.pdf
September 22, 2024
Senate Bill 1193 (Menjivar) is signed into law, banning the sale of leaded aviation gas in California by January 1, 2031
October 2024
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approves a $1.3 million contract with Trifiletti Consulting to complete an economic impact analysis and land use study involving Whiteman Airport
April 20, 2026
Cessna aircraft crashes in Pacoima parking lot
May 5, 2026
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approves motion to further strengthen safety measures at Whiteman Airport by directing Public Works to identify immediate actions the County can take, and directing Public Works to outline Whiteman Airport responsibilities across local and federal agencies and outline FAA aircraft and pilot regulations
https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/215858.pdf
May 18, 2026
Public Works release report, recommending the following as immediate safety enhancement measures:
(1) enhance pilot safety by sponsoring and coordinating quarterly Pilot Safety Seminars;
(2) enhance airfield safety by completing a Capital Improvement Project to maintain runway and taxiway pavement conditions;
(3) enhance community outreach regarding airport safety by utilizing media and other communications tools to improve public education, outreach, and collaboration; and
(4) enhance aircraft operations compatibility and safety by conducting a Noise Compatibility Study for the airport.
June 16, 2026
Cessna aircraft veers off runway and crashes in the airport parking lot
June 30, 2026
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approves motion to implement Recommendations (1), (2), and (3) but not (4) (Noise Compatibility Study) from the May 18 Public Works report
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