Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 11; Flight Crew Total 1130; Flight Crew Type 1000
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Police / Security Involved
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
IFR flight terminated just after midnight. The tower and the approach services were both closed. Center provided GPS approach to RWY 1. I monitored the local frequency until on final approach and then recontacted center with my tail number and requested cancellation of IFR flight in the air. Center responded; and I believed that my IFR flight was cancelled. The landing was normal. One hour later I was contacted by the local police who were sent to find the pilot of a missing aircraft. I called 1-800-wxbrief and they relayed the flight plan closure to center and told me that no additional action was required.In the future; when landing at an untowered (or tower closed) airport; I will make extra effort to communicate an IFR flight plan closure and make sure that I definitely am told that IFR cancellation is received.
A C182 pilot cancelled IFR with ATC prior to landing; but he did not close out his flight plan after landing. ATC requested that local police contact the pilot to verify his well-being.