Barnwell Regional Airport

Barnwell Regional Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Barnwell, South Carolina. Owned by Barnwell County, South Carolina, it serves general aviation for the South Carolina Lowcountry region. The airport features two asphalt runways and has historically supported military, industrial, and commercial flight operations.

History

The airport's origins trace to World War II, when it was constructed by the United States Army Air Forces as a training facility. Initially known as **Barnwell Army Airfield**, it was activated in 1943 and used primarily for pilot training by the Army Air Forces Flying Training Command. Following the war, the airfield was declared surplus and transferred to Barnwell County, South Carolina for civil use. In the post-war era, the facility evolved to support the growing Savannah River Site nuclear complex, providing transportation for contractors like E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The airport was designated a **regional** facility by the South Carolina Department of Commerce to promote economic development in the Central Savannah River Area.

Facilities

Barnwell Regional Airport covers 1,200 acres at an elevation of 246 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: Runway 5/23 is 5,500 by 100 feet, and Runway 12/30 is 4,000 by 75 feet. The airport features a Fixed-base operator offering services including 100LL fuel, aircraft parking, and maintenance. A single T-hangar complex and several smaller storage hangars provide shelter for based aircraft. The airport lacks an Air traffic control tower and operates under Class G airspace, utilizing a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency for traffic coordination. The Federal Aviation Administration lists the facility as a **reliever airport** for general aviation traffic in the region.

Airlines and destinations

The airport has no scheduled commercial passenger service. It primarily functions as a **general aviation** hub, supporting corporate, private, and charter flights. Historically, it was served by Piedmont Airlines and Atlanta Airlines during the 1960s and 1970s, connecting to hubs like Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Atlanta International Airport. Current operations are dominated by flight training, agricultural aviation, and cargo charters supporting local industry, including the nearby Savannah River Site. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems categorizes it as a **general aviation** facility.

Accidents and incidents

On December 8, 1963, a Beechcraft Model 18 operated by Atlanta Airlines crashed during a training flight near the airport, resulting in two fatalities. A notable incident occurred on February 15, 1978, when a Cessna 210 experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff, making a forced landing in a field; the pilot sustained minor injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated a 1992 accident involving a Piper PA-28 Cherokee that overran the runway during landing in poor weather conditions, causing substantial damage to the aircraft but no serious injuries.

See also

* List of airports in South Carolina * Savannah River Site * World War II Airfields in South Carolina * General aviation in the United States

Category:Airports in South Carolina Category:Barnwell County, South Carolina Category:Buildings and structures in Barnwell County, South Carolina