Officials Warn of Potential Mid-Air Collision Risk at Burbank Airport

NTSB chair says commercial airlines have raised safety concerns that the FAA has not addressed

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:31pm

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that numerous employees at Hollywood Burbank Airport in Southern California have been 'raising red flags' about safety conditions, warning that the airport could be the site of the next major mid-air collision. However, Homendy said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken no action to address these concerns.

Why it matters

Mid-air collisions are among the most catastrophic aviation accidents, with the potential to cause massive loss of life. The warnings from airlines about safety issues at Burbank Airport suggest the FAA may not be adequately addressing known risks, raising concerns about the agency's oversight and the potential for a deadly incident at the airport.

The details

According to Homendy, commercial airlines have directly contacted her to express concerns that 'the next mid-air is going to be at Burbank, and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us.' She stated that the FAA has a responsibility to ensure safety at the airport, but has so far failed to take action on the red flags being raised by employees.

  • The NTSB chair's comments were made at a hearing on January 27, 2026 about a tragic mid-air crash between a passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter in Washington DC that killed 67 people the previous year.

The players

Jennifer Homendy

The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

Hollywood Burbank Airport

An airport located in Burbank, California that serves the Greater Los Angeles area.

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What they’re saying

“I keep hearing about other areas in the airspace where they are concerned. Burbank is one where commercial airlines have called me to say the next mid-air is going to be at Burbank, and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us.”

— Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chair

What’s next

The NTSB and FAA will likely need to conduct a thorough safety review of operations at Burbank Airport to address the concerns raised by airlines and airport employees.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical importance of the FAA fulfilling its mandate to ensure the safety of the national airspace system. Ignoring known risks at airports like Burbank could have catastrophic consequences, underscoring the need for robust oversight and prompt action to address safety issues before they lead to deadly accidents.