Southwest Airlines (Dallas) recently inherited Branson, Missouri from its subsidiary AirTran Airways and some of its pilots may not be as familiar with Branson Airport (IATA: BKG, ICAO: KBBG, FAA LID: BBG) as other long-time Southwest-served airports. The airport opened on May 11, 2009 and is privately owned by Branson Airport, LLC.
Apparently the crew of flight WN 4013 last night (January 12) from Chicago (Midway) to Branson were a bit unfamiliar with the area. The Boeing 737-700 with 124 passengers and five crew members mistakenly landed at M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport (IATA: PLK, ICAO: KPLK, FAA LID: PLK) in Branson. The downtown airport has one runway designated 12/30 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,738 by 100 feet (1,139 x 30 m) according to Wikipedia. PLK is owned and operated by Taney County.
The aircraft involved is Boeing 737-7H4 N272WN (msn 32527). The aircraft will be ferried out of PLK with only a crew.
Read the full report (with video) from OzarksFirst.com: CLICK HERE
