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PACOIMA, LOS ANGELES () — A small plane crashed while landing at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima on Tuesday morning after its landing gear failed to deploy properly, sending the aircraft through a fence, officials said.
The aircraft sustained significant damage, but the 77-year-old pilot survived.
Video from the scene showed him with a gash on his head. His injuries were described as minor, and he was taken to a hospital for further evaluation, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
According to initial reports, the pilot was able to bring the aircraft down on the runway, but the landing gear failed to deploy properly. The plane continued beyond the runway and crashed through a perimeter fence before coming to a stop at a parking lot on airport property.
Pilot instructor Allen Kahn said he and a small group rushed to help after the crash happened.
“He was bleeding, and he was able to talk and speak,” Kahn said of the pilot. “We calmed him and we gave him some water, stuff like that. He stated that his gear wasn’t down when he was landing.”
The crash is renewing attention to safety concerns at and around Whiteman Airport.
Lazaro Alvarez witnessed the crash. He said he has seen multiple crashes in or near the airport.
Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Lindsey Horvath issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to operations pending further review.
“I call on all operations to cease immediately while a thorough investigation is conducted. This federal government must decide what it is willing to do to keep our communities near Whiteman Airport safe,” Horvath said.
Kahn, however, pushed back against the idea of shutting down the airport, emphasizing the need for improved pilot training and caution.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
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