This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.
I landed my Lancair IV on the newly-resurfaced and painted Runway XXR at ZZZ, although this runway was closed by NOTAM.
I was returning to my home airfield after three weeks away. Although I checked NOTAMs for the several stops enroute home from the west coast, I failed to check the NOTAMs for ZZZ, a very familiar airport, for the final leg of this trip.
I also failed to catch the note on the ATIS that advised Taxiway 1 was being used as Runway XXR. The two to three minute ATIS transmission contained extensive information about no IFR operations and multiple taxiway and access closures.
I was cleared to land on “Runway XXR” and cautioned about the strong and gusty winds. The landing was uneventful and posed no risk to personnel in the airplane or on the ground. There were no workers or service vehicles in the area.
I was able to back-taxi on the closed runway under tower supervision and exit at the normal point to my rented hangar on the northeast side of the field.
I understand that the runway was closed for good reason — the yet to be completed lighting systems — and that such a landing is always a potential risk to pilots and ground crew. I hope (and believe) I would have noted and aborted the landing had any people or equipment been on or near the runway I landed on.
I attribute this incident to complacency on my part. I expected a clearance to land on Runway XXR, based on the winds, and when I saw the newly-resurfaced runway, I went for it. I am embarrassed by the fact that I would make such an error after so many years of flying.
Primary Problem: Human Factors
ACN: 1805908
