CWU Aviation Students not Affected by Bowers Field Hangar Fire

CWU aviation classes will not be interrupted by a fire at Ellensburg’s Bowers Field today that destroyed two planes and two hangars. IASCO leases the hangars from Carrera Hangars. The airplanes are owned by IASCO Flight School, which provides aviation services.

“The fire will have no effect on summer courses for our students,” said Sundaram Nataraja, chair of CWU Aviation, who added that about 60 students are enrolled in aviation summer courses. “We have eight additional planes, so students will suffer no down time. We are grateful that there were no injuries, and that all personnel were evacuated safely.”

According to Nataraja, no students were in the area when the fire began at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 15.

Two of six hangars, and two Cessna 172s owned by IASCO Flight School were a complete loss. The fire also destroyed more than $20,000 in aviation parts. IASCO officials were on the scene to assess the damage.

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu