Plew Airport

Columbia City, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Closed Airport

ICAO

US-11455

IATA

-

Elevation

910 ft

Region

US-IN

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 41.1856Β° N, -85.521599Β° E

Continent: NA

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: Motherwell IN71

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

External Links

Nearby Points of Interest

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Airport Information

Technical Information

For Aviation Geeks

Designation Length Width Surface Status
17/35 2100 ft 100 ft TURF Active Lighted

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 27, 2025
Closure Date

The airport was closed sometime between 1998 and 2005. A 1998 USGS aerial photo shows the turf runway was still intact and clear. However, a 2005 aerial photo shows that a large industrial building had been constructed over the southern portion of the former runway, indicating the airport was permanently closed by that time.

Reason for Closure

The closure was due to economic reasons, specifically the sale and redevelopment of the land for industrial use. The site was prime real estate for commercial expansion from the nearby city. There is no evidence of military conversion, a major accident, or regulatory action forcing the closure. It was a common fate for small, privately-owned airfields to be sold for more profitable land development.

Current Status

The site of the former airport has been completely redeveloped. It is now occupied by a large industrial facility for 80/20 Inc., a company that manufactures modular T-slot aluminum framing systems. The original runway, hangars, and any other aviation infrastructure have been entirely removed and replaced with large buildings, parking lots, and access roads. There are no visible remnants of the former airfield.

Historical Significance

Plew Airport was a small, privately-owned general aviation airfield. Its primary significance was local, serving its owner, Robert Plew, and potentially other local pilots. It was not a public-use airport and did not handle commercial or military operations. According to a 1982 airport directory, it featured a single 2,200-foot unpaved turf runway (Runway 18/36). The airport was a typical example of the numerous private airstrips that supported personal aviation across the United States in the mid-to-late 20th century.

Reopening Prospects

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Plew Airport. The land has been permanently and extensively redeveloped for industrial purposes, making a return to aviation use impossible at this location.

Nearby Airports

Wigent Airport
US-9932
Columbia City, US
Closed Airport
~6 km away
Terry's Airport
3IG3
Columbia City, US
Small Airport
~9 km away
Gordon Airport
09IN
Columbia City, US
Small Airport
~11 km away
Rex's Ultralightport
US-10709
Wolflake, US
Closed Airport
~13 km away
Shaffer Airport
US-11009
Merriam, US
Closed Airport
~13 km away
Green Field
9IN8
Churubusco, US
Small Airport
~15 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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