Elkhart airport tower closed after lightning strikes; board authorizes soliciting repair quotes

Andy Jones, the airport manager, told the Elkhart City Airport Board that lightning strikes earlier this summer damaged radio and electrical systems in the airport’s air traffic control tower and related equipment, leaving the tower without dependable communications and prompting the chief controller to close the tower.

Jones said the airport initially ran temporary communications and lighting fixes but that the problem deteriorated until the controller ordered the tower closed. “Everything in my report is gonna be related, I think, primarily to the lightning strikes,” Jones said. He told the board the airport has been working with emergency-radio contractors and an insurance adjuster and that the claim is “in excess of more than a $100,000.”

The board heard that consoles (identified as Zetron consoles) and regulators in the electrical vault were destroyed, runway lighting and the fire alarm system were damaged, and that South Bend is handling arrivals and departures while the tower is closed. Jones said some gate electronics were repaired and that staff has turned runway lights on each evening to keep the airfield usable at night.

To restore basic communications while permanent repairs are planned, Jones said he authorized purchase of a temporary “band‑aid” system at about $2,200. He also reported emergency-radio contractors have provided quotes for replacement equipment and that the airport hopes to coordinate the insurance engineer, emergency‑radio representatives and other contractors on site to finalize the scope.

Board members pressed Jones on timing and operational impacts. He said the backup system could arrive in 5–10 days, but that larger replacements and custom-built regulators could take weeks once the insurance adjuster signs off. Because the tower is closed, the airport has restricted some operations: Jones said staff asked student pilots to avoid touch‑and‑go practices and suspended school field trips to the airfield.

The board voted to authorize staff to solicit quotes for repair of the air traffic control tower related to the July 26, 2025 strikes. Karen called the roll: Maggie Moronka, Tom Schauff and Doug Form voted yes; the motion passed.

Jones and other staff emphasized the repairs are dependent on the insurance process and on contractor lead times. He also said the airport will seek additional surge protection and stronger lightning rods as part of replacements. The board asked staff to continue coordinating with emergency-radio contractors and the insurance adjuster and to return with formal contract recommendations when bids are ready.

Votes and next steps: the board authorized solicitation of quotes for the tower repairs and directed staff to continue coordinating insurance and contractor assessments; no specific contractor was selected at the meeting.