Decision Comes Seven Weeks After Fatal Accident

On Saturday, the FAA approved a land-use plan for the relocation of the Conway, AR airport, seven weeks following a fatal plane crash in a nearby residential area.

As ANN reported, the 71-year-old pilot landed long and attempted to execute a go-around in his Citation 500, which resulted in the aircraft hitting a home off the end of the runway. Both he and his female passenger were lost in the overrun accident.

The FAA sent an email to Mayor Tab Townsell, saying it had approved the plan for the proposed relocation site in the Lollie Bottoms area, to the southwest of town.

According to The Northwest Arkansas Morning News, FAA officials were originally concerned that ducks and geese in the area could be harmed if an airport was built in that location. Officials say those concerns have been addressed in the approved plan.

"We have addressed the waterfowl and bird issue with this land-use plan that was presented to them so they are satisfied that we have adequately addressed the issues brought up regarding the waterfowl and birds in the area," said Conway City Engineer Ronnie Hall.

Conway's current airport is in the center of town near a residential and business area. According to the paper, Mayor Townsell said he thought the crash sped up the FAA's consideration of the land-use plan.

"It's a political world," said Townsell. "I would have to believe that kind of upped the ante and elevated the stakes, and these guys knew they had to make a decision and move the airport."

FMI: www.conwayairport.com, www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov