Lockhart River Airport Explained

Lockhart River Airport
Iata:IRG
Icao:YLHR
Type:Public
Operator:Lockhart River Aerodrome Company Pty Ltd
Location:Lockhart River
Elevation-F:77
Coordinates:-12.7869°N 143.3047°W
Pushpin Map:Queensland
Pushpin Label:YLHR
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Queensland
Metric-Rwy:y
R1-Number:12/30
R1-Length-M:1,500
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Footnotes:Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[1]

Lockhart River Airport (also known as Iron Range Airport) is an airport in Lockhart River, Queensland, Australia, located approximately 800km (500miles) north of Cairns on the eastern coast of Cape York Peninsula. Being so remote with the road to Lockhart River being unpassable during the tropical wet season, the airport provides a vital transport hub for the community as well as being the only means of freighting in critical medical and other supplies during the summer months.

History

The airport was constructed during World War II, and was used as a bomber and communications base for many years. Known World War II United States Army Air Forces Fifth Air Force units assigned to Iron Range Airport were:

19th Bombardment Squadron, (15 September 1942 – 4 February 1943) B-26 Marauder

33d Bombardment Squadron, (29 September 1942 – 4 February 1943) B-26 Marauder

In addition, the 479th Service Squadron provided supplies for the B-26 and B-17s assigned to the airport, as well as operating a repair and maintenance depot for B-24 Liberator aircraft.

Accidents and incidents

See main article: Lockhart River air disaster. On 7 May 2005 a Fairchild Metroliner aircraft crashed 6NM north-west of Lockhart River Airport, killing all 15 people on board. The aircraft had flown from Bamaga and was preparing to land at the airport.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. , Aeronautical Chart