Overview of Safety Issues at Burbank Airport
The airspace over Los Angeles is among the busiest worldwide, but the Hollywood Burbank Airport faces unique challenges due to its location. The airport’s short main runway, coupled with heavy air traffic from the nearby Van Nuys Airport, creates narrow margins for safety as pilots land. A review of safety records and insights from aviation experts reveals the potential hazards associated with this compact airspace.
Near Collisions and Increasing Risks
Since 2018, at least 12 near-collision incidents have been reported at Burbank. These incidents, recorded in the Aviation Safety Reporting Database, highlight the risks associated with overlapping flight patterns of the two airports, which are required to operate at different altitudes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has noted the variable skill levels among pilots, especially at Van Nuys, where many fly training schools operate, exacerbating the risks.
Amid rising concerns, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy remarked that pilots have voiced fears of a potential midair collision at Burbank, particularly after a tragic incident that resulted in numerous lives lost in Washington, D.C. Despite recent adjustments to flight altitudes by the FAA, aimed at enhancing the safety of Burbank’s airspace, anxiety remains among pilots and aviation advocates.
Local pilots, such as Trent Sanders, express heightened awareness of the risks posed by the proximity of the two airports. Although some flight paths do not directly intersect, concerns about safety influence their decisions to avoid the area entirely. With increasing traffic at both airports, the intersection of commercial and training flights adds to the complexity of operations, suggesting that industry-wide vigilance is crucial.
The FAA’s adjustments, which include raising altitude requirements for incoming flights to Burbank, may improve safety but have not entirely alleviated concerns among aviators about the nearby air traffic. Industry experts are calling for re-evaluations of airport configurations to improve safety outcomes, recognizing that while measures are in place, the potential for incidents continues to loom.
