Burbank Airport Under Scrutiny as NTSB Warns of Potential Mid-Air Collision; FAA Under Fire for Inaction
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has expressed deep concerns over the risk of a deadly mid-air collision at Hollywood Burbank Airport, warning that commercial airlines are sounding the alarm and urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take immediate action.
According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the agency is receiving warnings from commercial airlines that the next potentially catastrophic incident will occur at Burbank, with no apparent attention being paid by the FAA. Homendy criticized the agency for its lack of urgency and questioned why it was not taking proactive steps to address the growing threat posed by increasing air traffic in a relatively small airspace.
The NTSB is citing a disturbing trend of near-miss incidents at Burbank Airport since January 2021, with six confirmed mid-air collisions reported. The agency is now pushing for the FAA to act swiftly to improve safety measures and mitigate potential risks.
The FAA has responded by pointing out that it has already implemented various safety improvements, including reducing traffic collision alerts at Burbank Airport and lowering the Van Nuys traffic pattern to minimize conflicts between helicopters and airplanes. However, critics argue that these efforts do not go far enough to address the growing threat posed by increasing air traffic in the area.
Passengers and airport officials are also expressing concerns about the safety of Burbank Airport, with some citing worries about helicopter activity and the potential for collisions. As one passenger noted, "I don't see a lot of helicopter activity here at Burbank, and I really like this airport... If the FAA can make things safer, then there you go. Let's do that."
The NTSB warning highlights the growing risks posed by air traffic in urban areas and underscores the need for greater vigilance and proactive safety measures from the FAA. As Homendy emphasized, "The FAA has to ensure safety. That is their job."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has expressed deep concerns over the risk of a deadly mid-air collision at Hollywood Burbank Airport, warning that commercial airlines are sounding the alarm and urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take immediate action.
According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the agency is receiving warnings from commercial airlines that the next potentially catastrophic incident will occur at Burbank, with no apparent attention being paid by the FAA. Homendy criticized the agency for its lack of urgency and questioned why it was not taking proactive steps to address the growing threat posed by increasing air traffic in a relatively small airspace.
The NTSB is citing a disturbing trend of near-miss incidents at Burbank Airport since January 2021, with six confirmed mid-air collisions reported. The agency is now pushing for the FAA to act swiftly to improve safety measures and mitigate potential risks.
The FAA has responded by pointing out that it has already implemented various safety improvements, including reducing traffic collision alerts at Burbank Airport and lowering the Van Nuys traffic pattern to minimize conflicts between helicopters and airplanes. However, critics argue that these efforts do not go far enough to address the growing threat posed by increasing air traffic in the area.
Passengers and airport officials are also expressing concerns about the safety of Burbank Airport, with some citing worries about helicopter activity and the potential for collisions. As one passenger noted, "I don't see a lot of helicopter activity here at Burbank, and I really like this airport... If the FAA can make things safer, then there you go. Let's do that."
The NTSB warning highlights the growing risks posed by air traffic in urban areas and underscores the need for greater vigilance and proactive safety measures from the FAA. As Homendy emphasized, "The FAA has to ensure safety. That is their job."
. I mean, have you seen the number of near-miss incidents since 2021? It's crazy! They're saying it's not enough that they've already reduced traffic collision alerts and changed some flight patterns... what else can they do to address this growing problem? 
The FAA just seems to be playing catch-up at this point. And have you noticed how many planes are flying into LA from Burbank Airport? It's like a recipe for disaster 
. We need to get some answers on why the NTSB is sounding the alarm and what's really going on behind closed doors... there has to be more to it than just "increasing air traffic" 
. I mean, what if something goes wrong and someone gets hurt or... worse? We need to make sure our airlines are prioritizing safety above all else 
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It seems like there's always one buzzing around Burbank, and it's just so anxiety-inducing 
. I get that helicopters are a necessary part of the airport experience, but come on, let's do better than this! We need more transparency from the FAA about their safety plans and how they're addressing these risks 
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. Passengers have a right to feel safe when they're traveling, and that's what the FAA should be focusing on – making sure we get there safely! 
. Passengers and airport officials have valid concerns about helicopter activity and safety, so I hope the FAA takes all that seriously 
. I just hope they can figure out a way to make air traffic in that small airspace safer for everyone flying through there 
Six confirmed mid-air collisions since January 2021 is way too many 
. They need to be more proactive and not just relying on small changes like reducing traffic collision alerts or tweaking air traffic patterns 
. The NTSB warning is a wake-up call for the FAA, and they really should take it seriously 
. I'm all for safety measures, but we can't keep dodging this issue 
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. If you're dealing with an airport in a super busy airspace, you need to be taking major steps to prevent those kinds of incidents from happening in the first place.
I mean, six confirmed mid-air collisions since january 2021? that's just crazy talk 
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it's basically a mini-airport in the middle of la 
but what if they can't? what if they just don't care about safety anymore? 
. As a passenger, I want to feel safe when flying out of this airport. It's not rocket science, but apparently, the FAA needs to step up their game 
. Someone needs to be more proactive about safety measures 
It's not just about helicopter activity either - it's about all the planes flying around each other in such a small airspace. I get that safety improvements have been made, but isn't it time for more drastic measures?! 
. And what's with the "various safety improvements" claim from the FAA? Reduced traffic collision alerts and lowering helicopter activity patterns might sound good on paper, but trust me, it's not enough 
. We need concrete action, not just empty promises 
. It's time for the FAA to take responsibility for passenger safety and get their act together 
️ We need some real action on this, not just a bunch of lip service. I'm glad passengers are speaking out too - we should be hearing more from the FAA about what they're going to do to fix this. 
. I mean, who needs a mid-air collision to wake up the FAA? They're already doing air traffic control like it's a hot potato