The downed aircraft was reported at 11:08 a.m. in the area of 10800 N. San Fernando Road, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The 70-year-old pilot who crashed the small plane just a few blocks from Whiteman Airport is reported to be in critical condition at this hour after flying into high-voltage power lines. Eyewitnesses said the small plane he piloted crashed and flipped over in the parking lot of O’Reilly’s Auto Parts store on Van Nuys Boulevard in Pacoima. As many as 20 people who saw the plane come down ran toward the crash and pulled out the pilot, who they described as “unconscious, bloodied and appearing in pretty bad shape.” Milo Cope, Public Information Officer with the LA Fire Department, described them as “good samaritans,” and said when emergency crews arrived, it was necessary to move everyone away from leaking fuel and downed power lines, which have led to widespread electricity outages in the area. Many traffic lights were affected, creating gridlock on some roadways.
Local Reaction
Some residents in the Pacoima area have been pushing for years to close Whiteman Airport, citing safety concerns and air and noise pollution.
In 2022, the county Board of Supervisors voted to explore the process involved in seeking a closure of the airport, should the county opt to pursue it. That vote followed two plane crashes that year, including one that killed a Civil Air Patrol pilot in April and another that landed on train tracks and was struck by a Metrolink train in January.
A group known as the Whiteman Airport Coalition, which supports the airfield, issued a statement Monday expressing concern for the pilot and asking for patience while the crash is investigated.
“Events like this are taken very seriously,” according to the coalition. “Whiteman Airport operates under strict federal safety standards, with rigorous requirements for pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and flight operations. It’s also important to understand that having a controlled, professionally managed airport helps reduce risk and protect the surrounding community.
“Whiteman Airport continues to play a critical role in public safety, supporting emergency response, law enforcement, wildfire operations, and workforce training. We understand this raises concerns, and we are committed to keeping the community informed as more information becomes available.”