Mayor appoints task force to study Corona airport

By PAIGE AUSTIN
The Press-Enterprise

CORONA - Changes may be in store for the Corona Municipal Airport in the aftermath of last month's deadly midair plane crash.
Though the specific changes remain uncertain, nine people were chosen this week for the Mayor's Airport Safety Taskforce to investigate aviation safety at and around the airport.
Corona Mayor Jeff Miller announced the names of eight men and one woman who are expected to make findings and recommendations to the Corona City Council in 120 days.
The task force includes Chairman and City Treasurer Dick Haley, John Gavigan, Mike Nolan, Harry Rusigno, Chuck Ferano, Shane Reichardt, Traci Rodriguez, and Councilmen Eugene Montanez and Steve Nolan.
Many nearby residents and people who witnessed the crash that killed four people in the air and one on the ground have called for changes at the airport ranging from closure to the construction of an air traffic control tower.
Over the last decade, three midair plane crashes have taken place near the airport.
Airport supporters say they are leery of the task force. They fear the community's emotional response to the tragedy could result in drastic or unnecessary changes at the airport.
Gene Murphy, a Norco resident and pilot who flies out of Corona, attended Wednesday's meeting to caution the city against adopting findings based upon "emotions over facts."
A commercial pilot for more than 25 years, Murphy said he fears the city could close the airport even though city officials have not said closure is an option. He urged pilots and airport regulars to attend the task force meetings to demonstrate the need for the airport.
At the council meeting, Miller said he wants to limit the task force's focus to aviation safety issues only. Miller has said he does not think the addition of a control tower is necessary but added that he wants to let the task force make its own findings.
Haley, the task force chairman, said the group plans to gather input from the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Corona Pilots Association and members of the community.

Reach Paige Austin at 951-893-2106 or paustin@PE.com