Pacoima activists call for closure of Whiteman Airport, as county signs off on study of its shutdown
Pacoima activists, citing harmful emissions and threat of accidents resulting from activity at Whiteman Airport, gathered Wednesday near where a pilot made an emergency landing and narrowly escaped a collision with a Metrolink train earlier this month, to call on officials to close the facility for recreational use.
On Jan. 9, the pilot of a Cessna 172 made an emergency landing on the tracks next to San Fernando Road. He was pulled to safety by police officers only seconds before a train barreled into his downed plane.
“We see these accidents too often, and we can’t be coming out here every time there is an accident,” said Veronica Padilla-Campos, executive director of Pacoima Beautiful, an organizing leading an effort to close the airport.
“What are we waiting for?” she said. “Are we waiting for an explosion? Are we waiting for a specific number of people to die? Don’t be confused. People are dying because of the airport everyday, of the lead-based fuel the planes use.”
Read more: https://www.dailynews.com/2022/01/26/pacoima-activists-call-for-closure-of-whiteman-airport-as-county-signs-off-on-study-of-its-shutdown/
(Los Angeles Daily News)
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