Katama Airpark
Edgartown Airfield, as it appeared in the 1920s
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerTown of Edgartown
LocationEdgartown, Massachusetts
Elevation AMSL18 ft / 5 m
Coordinates41°21′30.4220″N 70°31′28.09″W / 41.358450556°N 70.5244694°W / 41.358450556; -70.5244694
Websitekatamaairfield.com
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3/21 3,700 1,128 Turf
6/24 2,700 823 Turf
17/35 2,600 792 Turf
Statistics (2023)
Based aircraft1
Source: FAA Form 5010 for 1B2, 2023

Katama Airpark (FAA LID: 1B2)[1] is a public airport in the Katama section of Edgartown, Massachusetts, in Dukes County on the island of Martha's Vineyard. The airport, owned by the Town of Edgartown, has three runways, averages 22 takeoffs and landings per day, and has one aircraft based on its field.[1]

Katama is one of three airports on the island. The main airport Martha's Vineyard Airport (MVY) is the only airport with commercial service, and handles the majority of the island's general aviation traffic as well. The third airport is the smaller Trade Wind Airport, a grass airfield in Oak Bluffs.

History

During World War II, Martha's Vineyard Airport functioned both as an outer defense and a training facility for gunnery and pilots. In addition to the main airport there was a small airfield at Katama near a gunnery practice area at the beach. Following World War II this airport was purchased by Steven Gentle, who ran the Katama Airpark until the 1980s when it was purchased with state conservation funds (as this airfield has five endangered plant or animal species).

Facilities

The airport is managed by the town of Edgartown. During the season (roughly May 31 to Labor Day), there are biplane and glider rides available, as well as flight instruction in four different aircraft.[2]

There is a restaurant located adjacent to the airfield, currently named "Katama Kitchen."[3]

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute has a small data monitoring building adjacent to the hangar. It monitors wave action, beach erosion, and offshore wave action.[4] It is not open to the public.

Accidents

On June 22, 2005, a Cessna Skyhawk stalled and crashed during a landing attempt, injuring the pilot and two passengers.[5] This crash was the subject of a lengthy trial which concluded in 2012 with Cessna awarding a settlement of $1.7 million (2012 USD) to the injured party.[6] The plaintiffs alleged that faulty cockpit seat rails had caused the pilot to unexpectedly slide backward and lose control of the plane while attempting to abort a landing.[6]

On August 3, 2015, a Piper Cherokee was damaged when it rotated forward onto its nose during a rough landing. No passengers were harmed during this incident.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 FAA Form 5010 for 1B2. Federal Aviation Administration. 2023.
  2. ↑ "Flight Instruction".
  3. ↑ "Diner".
  4. ↑ "New Coastal Observatory is Born".
  5. ↑ "Small Plane Crashes at Katama Airfield; Pilot and Two Passengers Sustain Injuries". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  6. 1 2 "Dramatic Plane Crash Trial Ends Abruptly With Settlements". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  7. ↑ "No Injuries After Rough Landing at Katama Airpark". The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
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