Year-old pilot survives after small plane crashes through fence at Whiteman Airport

Whiteman Airport safety concerns prompt calls to pause operations as officials review procedures after a small plane crashed through a fence during landing. The 77-year-old pilot survived with a head wound described as minor and was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Video from the scene showed him conscious, and investigators attributed the mishap to a landing gear failure that allowed the aircraft to overshoot the runway and breach a perimeter fence into a parking area. Pilot instructor Allen Kahn and others helped, underscoring ongoing safety questions around the airport and its operations.

Los Angeles County officials, including Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, called for an immediate halt to operations pending a thorough review, arguing for stronger training and precaution rather than shuttering the airport. Kahn, who disagreed with that idea, emphasized the need for better pilot preparation and caution. The Los Angeles Fire Department and other agencies launched an investigation into the crash and fence impact. The airport's leadership said safety reviews are underway, with multiple stakeholders weighing whether changes to procedures or training are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.