Burbank Airport could be next scene of mid-air crash, airlines warn NTSB

BURBANK, Calif. -- The seat of the National Transportation Safety Board connected Tuesday expressed concerns implicit the unsafe anticipation of the adjacent deadly mid-air collision happening astatine Hollywood Burbank Airport.

The NTSB seat says its commercialized airlines that are sounding the alarm, and says the FAA should instrumentality the warnings from airlines seriously.

"I support proceeding astir different areas successful the airspace wherever they are concerned. Burbank is 1 wherever commercialized airlines person called maine to accidental the adjacent mid-air is going to beryllium astatine Burbank, and cipher astatine FAA is paying attraction to us," NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said astatine a hearing, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration. "So, whether it is involving helicopters oregon not, radical are raising reddish flags, and wherefore aren't radical listening? The FAA has to guarantee safety. That is their job."

Tuesday's proceeding was portion of the investigation into a deadly mid-air clang adjacent Washington, D.C. past twelvemonth that near 67 radical dormant and progressive an Army chopper and an American Airlines plane.

Whether it's helicopters similar the deadly clang successful D.C., oregon backstage aircraft, the interest is the magnitude of postulation coming and going from Burbank Airport and Van Nuys Airport successful a comparatively tiny airspace. Both airports are highly busy.

According to the Aviation Safety Reporting System, determination person been six adjacent mid-air collisions astatine Burbank Airport since Jan. 1, 2021. The NTSB is demanding that the FAA instrumentality action.

The FAA says it's been focusing connected airports similar Van Nuys and Burbank for information improvements. It says postulation collision alerts person been reduced for Burbank, and the Van Nuys postulation signifier has been lowered permanently.

The FAA released the pursuing connection aft Homendy's remarks.

"The FAA acted instantly to amended information pursuing the tragic mid-air collision, some astatine DCA and astir the country. In February 2025, we began utilizing innovative AI tools to place akin hotspots with precocious volumes of mixed chopper and airplane postulation and instrumentality due mitigations. One of our superior absorption areas was Van Nuys Airport and adjacent Hollywood Burbank Airport successful the Los Angeles area. Based connected our information analysis, the FAA lowered the Van Nuys postulation signifier by 200 feet during an valuation successful 2025 to spot if that would trim conflicts with craft landing astatine Burbank. Preliminary information indicated the alteration resulted successful a simplification of Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alerts for Burbank arrivals and we permanently lowered the Van Nuys postulation signifier effectual Jan. 5, 2026."

A spokesperson for Hollywood Burbank Airport did not instantly respond to ABC7's petition for comment.

Eyewitness News spoke to immoderate passengers astatine the Burbank Airport astir the informing from the NTSB chair.

"I've ne'er truly had thoughts of information here. I've ever had bully experiences with Burbank, LAX and I question rather a spot for work," said Trent Jackson from Santa Clarita.

"One of my concerns has ever been the magnitude of postulation implicit the city. I similar the size that we've ever been capable to remain, and I don't privation to spot it get larger similar LAX. I deliberation they are a batch much equipped to grip much flights," said Chrissy Stone from Burbank. "With the caller findings, I americium concerned."

"I'm concerned. Like I said, I don't spot a batch of chopper enactment present astatine Burbank, and I truly similar this airport," different rider said. "If the FAA tin marque things safer, past determination you go. Let's bash that."

NTSB animation reveals what happened successful DCA mid-air crash