Site Narrative:
The Site is located on the east side of Wichita at 9709 East Central Street. The facility was founded in 1925 by Travel Air Co. Beech Aircraft Corp. was formed in 1937. In 1980 Beech Aircraft became a subsidiary of Raytheon Company known as Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC). In 2007 RAC was sold to Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. Hawker Beechcraft declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on May 3, 2012 and emerged from bankruptcy Feb. 19, 2013 as Beechcraft Corp. Textron, Inc. subsequently purchased the facilty and is now known as Textron Aviation. The primary current and historical use of the facility has been for aircraft manufacturing purposes. The property is improved with several large manufacturing buildings, support buildings, aircraft landing/takeoff areas and service facilities. The manufacturing and service facilities are mainly located along the west (Webb Rd.) and northwest (E. Central St.) boundaries of the property. The property is fenced, with gated and security guard entrance access.
Preliminary testing in the early 1990's showed signs of solvent contamination in soil and groundwater at the site. Contamination mainly consists of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aromatic volatiles (BETX). Chlorinated VOCs are the primary contaminants of concern including trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, 1,1-dichloroethene and carbon tetrachloride. Other contaminants include hydraulic oil, quench oil, and gasoline. The average depth to groundwater ranges from approximately 25 to 40 feet. The groundwater flow direction is generally to the west-southwest.
In 1995, RAC and KDHE entered into a Consent Order requiring RAC to conduct a Comprehensive Investigation (CI)/Corrective Action Study (CAS). RAC's CI report was approved by KDHE in 2003. The CI findings indicated that several different source of contamination are present at Plants 1, 2, and 3 were related to various process lines or chemical storage areas. RAC submitted a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) for the site to KDHE. As part of the HHRA, RAC conducted a soil gas survey to assess the potential risk in connection with migration of contaminant vapors. Indoor air sampling was conducted in February 2011. Because results of indoor air sampling could have affected the remedial technologies to be evaluated, finalization of the HHRA and CAS were delayed. In addition, a monitored natural attenuation evaluation was conducted at the Site to support evaluation of remedial alternatives. Additional indoor air sampling was conducted in 2022 to re-evaluate this pathway. None of the buildings tested had detections of contaminants that required action to be conducted to protect human health. Indoor air sampling was conducted again in 2024 and 2025. Indoor air sampling in 2024 identified one residence that required actions to mitigate concentrations of contaminants in indoor air.
Supplemental groundwater sampling activities were conducted in the Forest Hills Subdivision area in September 2024 to fill in data gaps regarding the contaminant migration in groundwater. Additional characterization work is being planned for summer 2025.
A source-area Interim Measure (IM) began operation at Plant 1 in April 1997 to address the Old Process Line and Former Transfer Storage Area. The IM system consists of 11 dual phase extraction wells, an oil/water separator, an air stripper, and a high-vacuum soil vapor extraction (SVE) system. The system extracts groundwater and soil vapors from the surrounding area into the wells for subsequent aeration treatment and discharge. Treated groundwater is discharged to the storm sewer system under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit with the Bureau of Water. A source-area IM began operating at Plant 3 in March 1997. The IM system consists of six dual phase extraction wells, an air stripper and a high-vacuum SVE system. The Plant 3 SVE system was turned off in 2018 and groundwater was being monitored to determine i f groundwater concentrations increased. In 2024 Textron Aviation restarted the Plant 3 SVE system.
Textron Aviation is implementing plans to use in-situ bioremediation for contaminated groundwater at Plant 1. Injections of amendments to enhance bioremediation. were conducted in March 2025. If implementation of bioremediation is proved successful, this type of technology could become a component of the overall remedy for the site.
A radiation screening survey of a former instrument lab in Plant 1 was conducted in Fall 2010. A very small amount of radium contaminated media was identified and removed as a result of the investigation.
Supplemental investigation/remediation activities were conducted for Plant 2. The existing buildings were demolished, contaminated soil was excavated from a former solvent disposal area in August 2014, a new retail store was constructed, and replacement wells were installed for the groundwater monitoring program.
Groundwater monitoring is currently conducted on a semiannual basis. |