A small Cessna aircraft skidded off the runway at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, California, Tuesday morning after its landing gear failed to deploy properly, according to airport officials. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the plane, sustained injuries but was safely extricated.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. when the pilot successfully landed the aircraft on the runway. However, the failure of the landing gear caused the plane to continue beyond the runway, breach a perimeter fence, and come to a stop in an airport parking lot. It remains unclear if the aircraft collided with any vehicles or structures in the parking area.
Los Angeles Fire Department reported that five gallons of fuel leaked from the aircraft, but the leak was contained, and there was no active fire. The pilot received medical attention, though the extent of their injuries was not immediately disclosed. Airport officials emphasized that no other individuals were harmed and that the incident remained confined to airport property, posing no threat to nearby residential areas.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, representing the district that includes Pacoima, issued a statement expressing concern over the repeated accidents at Whiteman Airport. "This morning’s plane crash at Whiteman Airport reminds us of the definition of insanity — doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result," Rodriguez stated, criticizing the county's lack of action to ensure community safety.
Whiteman Airport has been a subject of ongoing scrutiny by community activists and residents who have advocated for its closure due to safety concerns. This latest incident follows a series of accidents, including a crash in April where community members assisted a pilot, a 2022 emergency landing on Metrolink tracks, a fatal crash in April 2022 near the 210 Freeway, and a fatal incident in November 2020 in a residential area.
These recurring events prompted the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to review the airport's potential closure. Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration cautioned the county regarding its obligation to operate the property as an airport, as it was acquired with federal funds, unless formally released by the FAA. Councilmember Rodriguez affirmed her commitment to monitoring the situation and advocating for accountability and the safety of Pacoima residents.
