Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 6.9; Flight Crew Total 354.3; Flight Crew Type 39.2
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
Accidentally overflew Imperial from the east which left KNJK [El Centro Naval Air Field] still directly on our nose. With nearly identical runway layout we assumed we were landing KIPL but landed KNJK. It was Sunday and for the previous 15 minutes there was not an airplane to be seen or heard (were monitoring both frequencies). Upon realizing our error we stopped on a taxiway and tried to contact KNJK tower on 119.1; with initial call admitting our mistake. Nobody answered and nobody was in sight so we taxied back and departed for the proper airport (KIPL) a mere 5 miles away.
A General Aviation pilot reported landing at a Naval Air Field (NAF) after mistaking it for the intended destination airport. The NAF was closed for the day and no one responded to the radio call after landing; so the pilot departed.