Postcard of Fort Worth Municipal Airport, undatedCivilian training school students and instructors at Meacham Field in 1942
Meacham Airport was purchased by the city of Fort Worth on July 3, 1925, named Fort Worth Municipal Airport. In 1927 the airport was renamed Meacham Field after former Fort Worth Mayor Henry C. Meacham.[2]
Meacham was Fort Worth's major airport until April 1953 when major carriers moved to Amon Carter Field (later Greater Southwest International Airport). The January 1953 OAG shows 50 weekday airline departures from Meacham, 33 of which headed for Dallas. None of the others flew nonstop north of Wichita Falls, west of Midland, south of Austin or east of Dallas.
Since 1953 Meacham Airport has been used for corporate aircraft, commuter flights, and student pilot training. It was renamed in 1985 to Fort Worth Meacham Airport and in 1995 to Fort Worth Meacham International Airport. Since 1953 seven airlines have tried scheduled passenger flights from Meacham; none lasted more than a couple of years.
In April 2006 low-cost carrier Skybus Airlines expressed interest in operating out of the airfield as it started operations in 2007, but it folded before the repeal of the Wright Amendment in 2014.[3]
On 15 January 2015, the airport advisory board voted to permanently close runway 9/27 to make room for additional hangars. The runway had been closed for about a year due to deteriorating pavement.[5]
In 2018, city officials and company founder David Neeleman hinted that a proposed low-cost carrier, tentatively named Moxy, now named Breeze Airways may operate from Meacham starting in 2020. Due to COVID-19 Breeze's launch has been delayed. City aviation director at the time Bill Welstead denied holding discussions with Moxy but confirmed that Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air were interested in serving the airport. Although the city has recently spent millions of dollars on several projects to improve airport facilities for general aviation, Welstead claimed that the city was not actively planning to build adequate terminal parking for passengers, which he said would be necessary before commercial airline service could begin.[6]
Current operationsedit
Meacham is currently used for general aviation purposes. Several companies operate aircraft services at the airport, including a division of the U.S. defense contractor Alliant Techsystems (ATK) and Texas Aviation Services.[7] An aviation museum (open weekends and by appointment during the week) is located in Hangar 33S on the airport's south side, at the end of Ellis Street. The terminal building houses several ATK employees, some Fort Worth city departments (mainly Aviation and Housing Development), a branch of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and several aviation-related businesses. The Civil Air Patrol operates two squadrons at Meacham, the Fort Worth Senior Squadron, and the Phoenix Composite Squadron. There are three FBOs operating on the field: American Aero, Cornerstone Flight Center and Texas Jet.
9 October 1982: A Cessna 152, registration number N89023, ran off the runway into a ditch and was destroyed after the pilot lost directional control on landing. The pilot and sole occupant suffered minor injuries.[9]
6 March 1984: The right-hand engine of a Piper PA-23-250, registration number N777RG, failed on takeoff after a touch-and-go landing. Although another runway aligned with the takeoff runway was only 3 miles (4.8 km) ahead, the pilots did not attempt to reach it, and instead executed an immediate forced landing in a nearby open field. The aircraft was destroyed but the two pilots, who were the sole occupants, were not injured. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators found the fuel selector in the OFF position for the right-hand engine, causing fuel starvation. The accident was attributed to the improper fuel selector position, poor judgment by the pilots, and failure to understand and follow proper emergency procedures.[10]
25 June 1989: A Cessna 152, registration number N24795, rolled to the left and stalled after controllers advised the pilots to go around due to shifting winds. The ensuing crash and post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft and killed the two pilots. The accident was attributed to "The inadvertent stall of the airplane by the pilot. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's disregard of the weather advisory, the unfavorable windshift, and the thunderstorm outflow."[11]
20 November 1996: A Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow, registration number N1394T, crashed into power lines on final approach while performing an Instrument Landing System approach at night in low visibility. The aircraft was destroyed and the two pilots were killed. The accident was attributed to "the pilots' continued descent of the aircraft below decision height. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog, the dark night illumination, one of the pilot's [sic] impairment due to use of marihuana, and both pilots' fatigue."[12]
27 February 1998: A Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk, registration number N21NB, BuNo 145011, overran Runway 34R on landing and was substantially damaged; the pilot suffered minor injuries. On approach to the airport, the pilot told controllers that he was experiencing engine surges and a "total system failure." The pilot lowered the landing gear using the emergency extension procedure, but the engine surged again, causing the aircraft to touch down at a higher speed than intended, and the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft on the runway. The accident was attributed to "A total hydraulic system failure for an undetermined reason."[13] The aircraft, painted in Royal Australian Navy colors, was later restored and placed on static display at the Air Zoo at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.[14]
^Hirst, Caty (January 17, 2015). "Fort Worth Meacham Airport could get more hangar space, jobs". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
^Baker, Sandra (June 21, 2018). "It's been 20 years, but could commercial airline service be returning to Meacham Airport?". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas.
^. www.texasaviationservices.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
^"World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 30, 1985. 83." "Meacham Field, Fort Worth, Texas, USA."
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Fort Worth Meacham International Airport Meacham Field IATA FTW ICAO KFTW FAA LID FTW is a general aviation airport located near the intersection of Interstate 820 and Business U S Highway 287 in Fort Worth Texas United States It is named after former Fort Worth Mayor Henry C Meacham 2 The airport covers 745 acres 301 ha 1 Fort Worth Meacham International AirportIATA FTWICAO KFTWFAA LID FTWSummaryAirport typePublicOperatorCity of Fort WorthLocationFort Worth TexasElevation AMSL710 ft 216 mCoordinates32 49 11 2 N 97 21 44 8 W 32 819778 N 97 362444 W 32 819778 97 362444Websitehttp meacham com MapFTWLocation of airport in Texas United StatesShow map of TexasFTWFTW the United States Show map of the United StatesRunwaysDirection Length Surface ft m 9 27 closed 3 677 1 121 Asphalt 16 34 7 502 2 287 Concrete 17 35 4 005 1 221 AsphaltSource Federal Aviation Administration 1 Contents 1 History 2 Current operations 2 1 Airlines and destinations 3 Accidents and incidents 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory edit nbsp Postcard of Fort Worth Municipal Airport undated nbsp Civilian training school students and instructors at Meacham Field in 1942 Meacham Airport was purchased by the city of Fort Worth on July 3 1925 named Fort Worth Municipal Airport In 1927 the airport was renamed Meacham Field after former Fort Worth Mayor Henry C Meacham 2 Meacham was Fort Worth s major airport until April 1953 when major carriers moved to Amon Carter Field later Greater Southwest International Airport The January 1953 OAG shows 50 weekday airline departures from Meacham 33 of which headed for Dallas None of the others flew nonstop north of Wichita Falls west of Midland south of Austin or east of Dallas Since 1953 Meacham Airport has been used for corporate aircraft commuter flights and student pilot training It was renamed in 1985 to Fort Worth Meacham Airport and in 1995 to Fort Worth Meacham International Airport Since 1953 seven airlines have tried scheduled passenger flights from Meacham none lasted more than a couple of years Tejas Airlines 1979 80 flew Fairchild Swearingen Metroliners to Austin Houston Corpus Christi San Antonio and Laredo Metro Airlines 1979 81 flew DHC 6 Twin Otters Fort Worth Airlines 1984 85 flew NAMC YS 11s Exec Express Airlines 1987 88 later Lone Star Airlines flew Dornier 228s Mesa Airlines 1997 98 flew Canadair CRJ regional jets In April 2006 low cost carrier Skybus Airlines expressed interest in operating out of the airfield as it started operations in 2007 but it folded before the repeal of the Wright Amendment in 2014 3 On 16 April 2008 the American Airways Hangar and Administration Building constructed at the airport in 1933 was added to the National Register of Historic Places 4 On 15 January 2015 the airport advisory board voted to permanently close runway 9 27 to make room for additional hangars The runway had been closed for about a year due to deteriorating pavement 5 In 2018 city officials and company founder David Neeleman hinted that a proposed low cost carrier tentatively named Moxy now named Breeze Airways may operate from Meacham starting in 2020 Due to COVID 19 Breeze s launch has been delayed City aviation director at the time Bill Welstead denied holding discussions with Moxy but confirmed that Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air were interested in serving the airport Although the city has recently spent millions of dollars on several projects to improve airport facilities for general aviation Welstead claimed that the city was not actively planning to build adequate terminal parking for passengers which he said would be necessary before commercial airline service could begin 6 Current operations editMeacham is currently used for general aviation purposes Several companies operate aircraft services at the airport including a division of the U S defense contractor Alliant Techsystems ATK and Texas Aviation Services 7 An aviation museum open weekends and by appointment during the week is located in Hangar 33S on the airport s south side at the end of Ellis Street The terminal building houses several ATK employees some Fort Worth city departments mainly Aviation and Housing Development a branch of Enterprise Rent A Car and several aviation related businesses The Civil Air Patrol operates two squadrons at Meacham the Fort Worth Senior Squadron and the Phoenix Composite Squadron There are three FBOs operating on the field American Aero Cornerstone Flight Center and Texas Jet Airlines and destinations edit This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed January 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message AirlinesDestinationsBombardier Business Jet SolutionsCharter Dallas Fort Worth AustinCitationsharesCharter Providence Dallas Fort WorthNetjetsCharter CharlotteCharter Fleet InternationalCharter Dallas Fort Worth Houston Angel Fire New Mexico AustinClay Lacy AviationCharter Los Angeles New York Miami Portland other destinations nationwide At one time Fort Worth Airlines had its headquarters at the airport 8 Accidents and incidents edit9 October 1982 A Cessna 152 registration number N89023 ran off the runway into a ditch and was destroyed after the pilot lost directional control on landing The pilot and sole occupant suffered minor injuries 9 6 March 1984 The right hand engine of a Piper PA 23 250 registration number N777RG failed on takeoff after a touch and go landing Although another runway aligned with the takeoff runway was only 3 miles 4 8 km ahead the pilots did not attempt to reach it and instead executed an immediate forced landing in a nearby open field The aircraft was destroyed but the two pilots who were the sole occupants were not injured National Transportation Safety Board NTSB investigators found the fuel selector in the OFF position for the right hand engine causing fuel starvation The accident was attributed to the improper fuel selector position poor judgment by the pilots and failure to understand and follow proper emergency procedures 10 25 June 1989 A Cessna 152 registration number N24795 rolled to the left and stalled after controllers advised the pilots to go around due to shifting winds The ensuing crash and post crash fire destroyed the aircraft and killed the two pilots The accident was attributed to The inadvertent stall of the airplane by the pilot Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot s disregard of the weather advisory the unfavorable windshift and the thunderstorm outflow 11 20 November 1996 A Piper PA 28R 200 Arrow registration number N1394T crashed into power lines on final approach while performing an Instrument Landing System approach at night in low visibility The aircraft was destroyed and the two pilots were killed The accident was attributed to the pilots continued descent of the aircraft below decision height Factors contributing to the accident were the fog the dark night illumination one of the pilot s sic impairment due to use of marihuana and both pilots fatigue 12 27 February 1998 A Douglas A4D 2 Skyhawk registration number N21NB BuNo 145011 overran Runway 34R on landing and was substantially damaged the pilot suffered minor injuries On approach to the airport the pilot told controllers that he was experiencing engine surges and a total system failure The pilot lowered the landing gear using the emergency extension procedure but the engine surged again causing the aircraft to touch down at a higher speed than intended and the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft on the runway The accident was attributed to A total hydraulic system failure for an undetermined reason 13 The aircraft painted in Royal Australian Navy colors was later restored and placed on static display at the Air Zoo at Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport 14 See also editList of airports in TexasReferences edit a b FAA Airport Form 5010 for FTW PDF effective January 31 2019 a b Meacham Field History Texas State Historical Association The Airline News April 7 2006 permanent dead link National Register Information System American Airways Hangar and Administration Building 08000317 National Register of Historic Places National Park Service November 2 2013 Retrieved August 30 2020 Hirst Caty January 17 2015 Fort Worth Meacham Airport could get more hangar space jobs Fort Worth Star Telegram Fort Worth Texas Retrieved August 29 2020 Baker Sandra June 21 2018 It s been 20 years but could commercial airline service be returning to Meacham Airport Fort Worth Star Telegram Fort Worth Texas Welcome to Texas Aviation Services www texasaviationservices com Archived from the original on December 14 2009 Retrieved January 13 2022 World Airline Directory Flight International March 30 1985 83 Meacham Field Fort Worth Texas USA NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report FTW83LA012 National Transportation Safety Board Retrieved November 1 2019 NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report FTW84FA156 National Transportation Safety Board Retrieved November 4 2019 NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report FTW89FA117 National Transportation Safety Board Retrieved November 1 2019 NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report FTW97FA044 National Transportation Safety Board Retrieved November 1 2019 NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report FTW98LA134 National Transportation Safety Board Retrieved November 4 2019 Skyhawks Displays skyhawk org Skyhawk Association Retrieved November 4 2019 External links edit nbsp Aviation portal http www skymavs com http www skymavs com pilot training Fort Worth Meacham International Airport Epic Helicopters LLC Civil Air Patrol Phoenix Composite Squadron Resources for this airport AirNav airport information for KFTW ASN accident history for FTW FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker NOAA NWS weather observations current past three days SkyVector aeronautical chart for KFTW FAA current FTW delay information Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fort Worth Meacham International Airport amp oldid 1203590225, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
