Lee Airport accidents not linked

Despite statistics at Edgewater airfield, there's no common thread to causes

By E.B. FURGURSON III, Staff Writer

Capital Gazette Communications

Published 05/09/10

When Joseph Kelly's Beechcraft Bonanza hit a tree along Warehouse Creek a few hundred yards short of the runway at Lee Airport in February, he became the latest addition to a sad statistic for the Edgewater airfield.

Shannon Lee Zirkle — The Capital A plane landing at Lee Airport in Edgewater easily clears the trees sitting on the far bank of Beards Creek. The pilot used the three signs at right as landing guidance. The signs soon will be replaced by a lighted electronic system visible a couple of miles out from the airport.

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More fatal and serious-injury plane incidents have occurred at Lee Airport in the last 25 years than any other public general aviation airfield in Maryland, according to accident data compiled by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

But before hysteria sets in over that statistic, know this: there are as many causes as there are mishaps, most pointing to pilot errors rather than anything to do with the...

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Well written article - 2010-05-23 19:58:37

You know, this is one of the best and most informative articles on general aviation I have read in a long time. Thanks to the writer for taking the time to do your research and present the facts about how private pilots go about their business. It's always sad when things go wrong and we all try to learn from the experience of others to make the skies safer.
I'm recently moved to the area and was thinking of bringing my 7GCBC plane down from Alaska. I stopped by Lee and was impressed with what I found. Looks like a good operation. Believe me, when we Alaska pilots actually use an airport, we are pretty darn picky. (Sand bars, lakes and rivers are another matter.) Now, if I could only find a place around here to land on floats...

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Leo Walsh - , - Karma: Neutral

Lee Airport - 2010-05-10 09:32:13

Whether an airport is in an open field or an urban setting, if there is a clear glidepath and a well maintained runway of adequate length and width, the planes should be able to land and take off as safely as any other airport. Lee's runway meets those criteria, which explains why mostly pilot and aircraft factors account for the numerous mishaps.

Furthermore, Freeway Airport off of Route 50 is a far more challenging airport, with a very narrow upsloping runway, surrounded by hills and huge power lines (so much so that the pattern is non-standard to avoid the lines), and a low approach over a busy freeway. Yet, its mishap rate is lower. Maybe because less skilled pilots avoid that field?

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Max Power - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

To Jerry in Brookshire - 2010-05-09 17:42:47

Why would you purchase a house on a piece of ground that you deem dangerous due to its proximity to an airport? Did you think that you would close the airport that was there before you came? Shame on you.

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Sharon and Bill Tinkler - Tullahoma, TN - Karma: Neutral

A matter of time - 2010-05-09 14:41:26

Obstruction, preparation, pilot error, the limited flight path, the accident numbers speak for themselves. The new commercial strip will exacerbate the difficulty. Land surrounding Lee airport was given higher density, variance predicated on the 'open space' which was or is to remain undeveloped. This 'open space compromise' will soon be tossed and the the land developed. It's one thing to maintain an airport which was in a once rural location, is another to permit commercial and residential developement around it. Let's hope no one has to pick a wing from their salad.

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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent

Lee Airport Alumni - 2010-05-09 10:00:57

Having called Lee Airport my home field for over 20 years I agree with John Sullivan and the others that there are few, if any, common threads among the accidents and incidents at Lee Airport. The field is unique in many ways but with proper preparation its traits create no greater risk than any other small field in the country. Each and every airport has its own challenges. The task at hand for any pilot is to know what those challenges are ahead of time and to develop a plan for how to address them when they are encountered. Much of my time operating from Lee Airport was prior to the number of safety enhancements that have been made recently. Each of those enhancements will reduce the impact that the environment around the airport for those who elect to travel to the airport but may not be familiar with its unique conditions and surroundings. While I no longer fly out of Lee Airport as I did in the past I still pass on my lessons learned to others who are headed there. In doing so they are better prepared and better able to make their flight more enjoyable.

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Bill Trussell - Schnecksville, PA - Karma: Neutral