Metropolis Municipal Airport is an airstrip northwest of

Metropolis A metropolis () is a large city or conurbation which is a significant economic, political, and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections, commerce, and communications. A big c ...

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History

The airport was dedicated in 1947 as part of Metropolis's postwar development plan. The airport originally had a 2800-foot blacktop runway and a 3300-foot turf runway. For 18 years ending in 2006, the airport hosted a competition for remote-controlled model jets, which attracted as many as 200 participants. The airport received $25,000 as part of the Rebuild Illinois program during the

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. The money went toward a $500,000 fund to upgrade the airport's T-hangars. Additional funds for the hangars and to upgrade airport lighting and cables were received from the federal government with a small fraction coming from local funds.

Facilities & Aircraft

The airport has one runway: runway 18/36 is 4002 x 75 ft (1220 x 23 m). For the 12-month period ending April 30, 2020, the airport averages 36 aircraft operations per day, which roughly totals 13,140 per year. These operations are 82%

general aviation General aviation (GA) is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as all civil aviation aircraft operations with the exception of commercial air transport or aerial work, which is defined as specialized aviation services ...

and 8%

air taxi An air taxi is a small commercial aircraft that makes short flights on demand. In 2001 air taxi operations were promoted in the United States by a NASA and aerospace industry study on the potential Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) an ...

. The airport ranks 14th of 323

airports in Illinois An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surfa ...

. , there are 14 aircraft based at the airport: 12 single engine and 2 multi engine

airplanes An airplane or aeroplane (informally plane) is a fixed-wing aircraft that is propelled forward by thrust from a jet engine, propeller, or rocket engine. Airplanes come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and wing configurations. The broad spectr ...

. The airport has an FBO offering fuel, hangars, a conference room, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, and more.

Accidents & Incidents

*On August 30, 1991, a Hocker Dragonfly stalled near the airport due to the pilot's inability to maintain appropriate speed. *On June 7, 2008, an amateur-built Kindig Sonex experienced a partial loss of power on departure from Metropolis. The pilot began to return to the airport, and the engine failed in the downwind back to the departure airport. The engine completely failed on the way back to the runway, and the aircraft touched down short of the runway, subsequently impacting runway lights as it rolled onto the runway surface, damaging the right wing ribs. *On May 10, 2009, a Rockwell International 112A Commander was substantially damaged after an engine failure in flight near Metropolis. The pilot received significant injuries, and their passengers received minor injuries. The cause of the power loss could not be determined. *On June 22, 2012, a

Piper PA-46 The Piper PA-46 Malibu and Matrix, now known as the M-Class, are a family of American light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft of Vero Beach, Florida. The aircraft is powered by a single engine and has the capacity for one pilot and five ...

experienced a landing gear collapse at Metropolis. The pilot, who was uninjured, reported they lowered the landing gear and noted three green annunciator lights. The nose gear collapsed after touchdown, the airplane drifted left, and the main gear collapsed one at a time. The cause of the gear collapse could not be found because testing could not replicate the problem.

References

External links

* Airports in Illinois Buildings and structures in Massac County, Illinois {{Illinois-airport-stub