{{Use American English|date=March 2025}} {{coord|39|40|57|N|084|14|35|W|type:airport_region:US|display=title}} {{Infobox airport | name = Moraine Airpark | image = Moraine Airpark from the east.jpg | image-width = 250px | caption = Aerial view of Moraine Airpark from the east | IATA = none | ICAO = none | FAA = I73 | type = Public | owner = Moraine Airpark, Inc. & Montgomery County | operator = | city-served = Dayton, Ohio | location = Moraine, Ohio | elevation-f = 720 | elevation-m = 219 | website = [http://www.moraineairpark.com/ www.MoraineAirpark.com] | pushpin_map = USA Ohio#USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Ohio | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_label = '''I73''' | pushpin_label_position = right | r1-number = 8/26 | r1-length-f = 3,500 | r1-length-m = 1,067 | r1-surface = Asphalt | stat-year = 2022 | stat1-header = Aircraft operations | stat1-data = 26,280 | stat2-header = Based aircraft | stat2-data = 111 | footnotes = Sources: FAA,<ref name=FAA>{{FAA-airport|ID=I73|use=PU|own=PR|site=17823.*A}}, effective 2007-07-05</ref> airport website<ref>[http://www.moraineairpark.com/ Moraine Airpark] (official site)</ref> | timezone = UTC−05:00 | utc = -5 | summer = UTC−04:00 | utcs = -4 | opened = 1944 }}
'''Moraine Airpark''' {{airport codes|||I73}} is a public-use airport situated in the city of Moraine, Ohio, United States. {{convert|4|mi|km}} southwest of the city of Dayton in Montgomery County.<ref name=FAA />
The airpark is the first home base of the National Waco Club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moraine Airpark, Dayton, Ohio |url=https://www.daytonlocal.com/listings/moraine-airpark.asp |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=www.daytonlocal.com}}</ref> It is also home to a chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association,EAA Chapter 48 which was established in 1959 which holds Young Eagles Days where young pilots are taken for airplane rides.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Chapters {{!}} EAA Chapter 48 |url=https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa48 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=chapters.eaa.org |publisher=Experimental Aircraft Association |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EAA Young Eagles Day {{!}} EAA {{!}} EAA Young Eagles Day Online Registration site |url=https://www.youngeaglesday.org/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=www.youngeaglesday.org |language=en}}</ref>
The airport holds an annual fly-in in May.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-20 |title=60th annual Funday Sunday Fly-in at the Moraine Airpark for the last 64 years as of 2023|url=https://www.whio.com/news/60th-annual-funday-sunday-fly-the-moraine-airpark/03pRgJac2c4TUyjm37zFnI/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cessna Flyer Association - Sunday Funday Fly-In Event in Dayton Ohio (I73) Event |url=https://www.cessnaflyer.org/events/viewevent/66-sunday-funday-fly-in-event-in-dayton-ohio-i73.html |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Cessna Flyer Association |language=en-gb}}</ref>
== History == The airport is on the site where the Wright Brothers tested seaplanes in 1907. The current airport is adjacent to the river the brothers used, which no longer houses the former seaplane base.<ref name=":0" />
In 1944, Berlin Neff, a recently discharged glider pilot and aerial photography enthusiast, purchased the site and began improving it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rock |first1=Lew, Jr. |title=One-Man Airport |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/393334008 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Herald |date=22 November 1947 |page=14}}</ref> By late October 1949, the {{convert|37|acre|ha|adj=on}} airport had three {{convert|1,800|ft|m}} grass runways, five t-hangars and a fishing pond.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Herbert |title=Dayton's "Community Airport" |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/401442752 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=30 October 1949 |pages=16–17}}</ref>
It began to grow in the mid-1950s after pilots displaced by the closing of South Dayton Airport began relocating to the airport.{{efn|The original South Dayton Airport opened in December 1941 and closed in July 1954 after being sold for residential development.<ref>{{cite news |title=Field is Dedicated to Civilian Flyers |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/400857869 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=1 December 1941 |page=15}}</ref><ref name="JH1954" />}} By late February 1956, it had expanded to {{convert|160|acre|ha}} and construction on an administration building and hangars had been announced.<ref name="JH1954">{{cite news |title=25 Airplanes Leave South Dayton After Airport is Shut Down |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/393683501 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Journal Herald |date=19 July 1954 |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Miami Shores 'Port Progress Outlined |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/402139249 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=19 February 1956 |page=4}}</ref>
The airport was flooded in 1959, destroying over 70 airplanes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hitch |first1=Anne |title=Levee Changes Life at Miami Shores |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/394236235 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Journal Herald |date=22 July 1963 |page=3}}</ref> A levee to protect an area that included the airport was proposed the following year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eckert |first1=Allan |title=Residents Jubilant at Miami Shores |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/393639605 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Journal Herald |date=20 January 1960 |page=3}}</ref>
By early July 1969, the city was considering purchasing the airport.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Howard |title=Municipal Airport Closer in Moraine |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/404652425 |access-date=11 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=9 July 1969 |page=1}}</ref> After {{convert|34|acre|ha}} of land were purchased for the airport in June 1970, plans to extend the runway to {{convert|4,000|ft|m}} were announced in November.<ref>{{cite news |title=Moraine Airpark Upgraded |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/404807886 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=22 November 1970 |page=21-A}}</ref>
By mid May 1972, the facility had been renamed '''Montgomery County–Moraine Airport Airpark'''.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Dayton Airport Refurbished, Renamed |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/404993835 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=12 May 1972 |page=53}}</ref>
In 1976, the airport manager, Harold Johnson, was elected mayor of Moraine.{{efn|Johnson was known for flying a Waco UMF-3 at airshows where he would pretend to be the Red Baron.}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Johnson Wins Mayoral Race in Moraine |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/395527487 |access-date=11 May 2026 |work=Journal Herald |date=3 November 1976 |page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kline |first1=Benjamin |title=Harold Johnson Enjoys Life as the 'Red Baron' |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/405999645 |access-date=11 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=9 November 1980 |page=7}}</ref>
A fire in late May 1985 destroyed a barn containing seven vintage airplanes that belonged to the airport manager.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cummings |first1=James |title=Moraine Airpark Fire Costs Man Over $400,000 in Airplanes, Parts |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/406895555 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=29 May 1985 |page=3}}</ref>
The airport received a state grant in May 1988 to extend a taxiway.<ref>{{cite news |title=Grants Clear Runway for Work at Airports |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/397568459 |access-date=11 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=24 May 1988 |page=6-A}}</ref>
The city was considering building an additional access road to the airport in October 1995. However, it required demolishing a local resident's garage.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Saum |first1=Lois |title=Resident's Garage Set for Demolishing |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/408290046 |access-date=11 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=25 October 1995 |pages=1, 3}}</ref>
In 2015, Governor John Kasich was accidentally flown to Dayton International Airport even though arrangements were made to fly him to the Moraine Airpark.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mix-up Sends Ohio Governor to Wrong Airport 20 Miles Away |url=http://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/state/2015/02/04/mix-up-sends-ohio-governor/10539597007 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Akron Beacon Journal |date=4 February 2015}}</ref>
In 2016, the airport was a stop for a light aircraft powered exclusively by biofuel. The pilots, a father and son duo, were flying across the United states in the aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Minneci |first1=Jessi |title=Rhode Island Biofuel Airplane Lands Safely in Ohio |url=http://www.turnto10.com/news/local/rhode-island-biofuel-airplane-lands-safely-in-ohio |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=WJAR |date=17 April 2016}}</ref>
== Facilities and aircraft == Moraine Airpark covers an area of {{convert|155|acre|ha|lk=on}}, which contains one asphalt paved runway, designated as runway 8/26. The runway measures 3,500 x 65 ft (1,067 x 20 m).<ref name=FAA /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=AirNav: I73 - Moraine Air Park |url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/I73 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=www.airnav.com}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=I73 - Moraine Air Park Airport {{!}} SkyVector |url=https://skyvector.com/airport/I73/Moraine-Air-Park-Airport |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=skyvector.com}}</ref>
The airport has a fixed base operator that offers avgas and courtesy transportation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moraine Airpark FBO Info & Fuel Prices at Moraine Air Park (I73) |url=http://flightaware.com/resources/airport/I73/services/FBO/Moraine_Airpark |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=FlightAware |language=en}}</ref>
For the 12-month period ending September 8, 2022, the airport had 26,280 aircraft operations, an average of 72 per day: 79% general aviation, 20% air taxi, and <1% military. This is down from 87,263 at the airport, an average of 239 per day, in 2007. In 2022, there were 111 aircraft based at the airport: 104 single-engine and 2 multi-engine airplanes, 3 ultralights, 1 helicopter, and 1 glider.<ref name="FAA" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
== Accidents and incidents == * On 25 September 1951, a Stinson crashed after it hit trees while taking off from the airport, injuring the pilot and two passengers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Plane Strikes Tree; Three are Injured |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/393127386 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Journal Herald |date=26 September 1951 |page=14}}</ref> * On 19 January 1958, a Piper PA-20 Pacer crashed shortly after taking off from the airport, killing the pilot and two passengers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eckert |first1=Allan |title=3 Area Men Die as Plane Crashes, Burns at South Dayton Airport |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/393607775 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Journal Herald |date=20 January 1958 |page=1}}</ref> * On 2 April 1961, a Piper J5A crashed shortly after taking off from the airport, killing a passenger.<ref>{{cite news |title=Probe Set in Crash of Plane |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/406939462 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=3 April 1961 |page=17}}</ref> * On 15 June 1972, a Midget Mustang crashed near the airport, killing the pilot.<ref>{{cite news |title=Small Plane Falls; UD Teacher Killed |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/402272520 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Journal Herald |date=16 June 1972 |pages=33, ?}}</ref> * On 26 October 1974, a Piper PA-28 crashed after taking off from the airport, killing the pilot and an instructor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Plane Crash Kills Two |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/395160906 |access-date=11 May 2026 |work=Journal Herald |date=28 October 1974 |pages=17–18}}</ref> * On 15 November 1987, an airplane overturned while making an emergency landing in the Great Miami River due to an engine failure shortly after taking off from the airport.<ref>{{cite news |title=FAA Visits Moraine Crash Site |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/397816459 |access-date=9 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=17 November 1987 |page=38}}</ref> * On 20 August 2000, an airplane stalled, crashed and caught fire while landing at the airport, injuring the pilot and a passenger.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brunts |first1=Julia |title=Two Hurt in Crash at Moraine Airpark |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/409582582 |access-date=11 May 2026 |work=Dayton Daily News |date=21 August 2000 |page=4B}}</ref> * On July 17, 2002, a Waco UPF-7 and a homebuilt Kitfox IV collided at the Moraine Airpark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clark KitFox IV crash in Ohio (N430DC) {{!}} PlaneCrashMap.com |url=https://planecrashmap.com/plane/oh/N430DC/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=planecrashmap.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Waco UPF-7 crash in Ohio (N29988) {{!}} PlaneCrashMap.com |url=https://planecrashmap.com/plane/oh/N29988/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=planecrashmap.com}}</ref> * On October 2, 2002, a Beagle Aircraft B.206 Basset was destroyed after impacting terrain after departing from the Moraine Airpark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beagle Aircraft B.206 Basset crash in Ohio (N72KB) {{!}} PlaneCrashMap.com |url=https://planecrashmap.com/plane/oh/N72KB/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=planecrashmap.com}}</ref> * On July 18, 2004, a Cessna 172 Skyhawk crashed during a go-around at the Moraine Airpark.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report |url=https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?AKey=1&EventID=20040723X01043&IType=FA&RType=Final |publisher=US ATSB |access-date=30 March 2025}}{{source-attribution}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Accident Cessna 172M N9731V, Sunday 18 July 2004 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/44776 |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation}}</ref> * On June 17, 2008, a Helton Lark 95 crashed after takeoff from the Moraine Airpark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frontier Pilot Lost In OH Helton Lark 95 Accident {{!}} Aero-News Network |url=http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=10db004a-51e3-4bbd-bf95-0122db2661fe |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=www.aero-news.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-06-17 |title=Pilot Killed In Ohio Plane Crash |url=https://www.cleveland19.com/story/8512168/pilot-killed-in-ohio-plane-crash |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Cleveland19 |publisher=CBS News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Helton Lark 95 crash in Ohio (N86657) {{!}} PlaneCrashMap.com |url=https://planecrashmap.com/plane/oh/N86657/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=planecrashmap.com}}</ref> * On November 16, 2022, a single-engine Piper PA24 Comanche aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted at the Moraine Airpark.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schrock |first=Jeffery |date=2022-11-16 |title=Plane suffers landing gear problem at Moraine Air Park |url=https://dayton247now.com/news/local/plane-suffers-landing-gear-problem-at-moraine-air-park |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=WRGT |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Balduf |first=Jen |title=Plane crash-lands on its belly at Moraine Airpark |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/plane-lands-on-its-belly-at-moraine-airpark/RXB3YDZLFJEDNP345IS7PP5ZCM/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=dayton-daily-news |language=English}}</ref>
==See also== *List of airports in Ohio
== References == === Footnotes === {{Notelist}}
=== Notes === {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{US-airport-minor|I73}}
Category:Airports in Ohio Category:Transportation in Montgomery County, Ohio Category:Buildings and structures in Montgomery County, Ohio