Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 406; Flight Crew Type 406
Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure; Company Policy
This report concerns an attempted landing at the Townsend Montana; airport (8U8). I flew west over 20 Mile Canyon at 7;500 MSL; then headed straight west to the Missouri river; and then turned north to Townsend; which was approximately fifteen miles away. Townsend is an uncontrolled airport. I tuned into the Townsend CTAF frequency of 122.80. When I was about 13 miles south of the Townsend airport; I heard Aircraft Y in Townsend; announce that it was taking off on Runway 35; and 'headed north to Helena'.My true airspeed indicator and my GPS ground speed indicator were showing the same speed; indicating the winds were calm. Ten miles south of Townsend; I made my first announcement; that I was inbound from the south; 10 miles out; for landing in Townsend. Aircraft Y came on the air; and asked for clarification about my location. I reiterated that I was 10 miles directly south of Townsend. Aircraft Y then responded: 'In that case; it's no problem; because I'm already in the air; north of Townsend headed to Helena.' No other aircraft responded. The fact that I heard Aircraft Y announce his take-off from Townsend; and that he heard me and responded to my transmission; indicated that my radio was working and was on the correct Townsend frequency.Three miles out; I was at pattern altitude of 4;700 MSL and did not see any other aircraft. The wind still appeared calm. I announced I was landing at Townsend; on Runway 35; and requested acknowledgment from any other aircraft in the vicinity. No one responded. I approached the runway; did the round out; and was about to flare. So; I had not yet touched down. At that point; I spotted Aircraft Z on the runway facing me. The aircraft had pulled as far to his right (my left) and still have his wheels on the runway; and had stopped. He was about 400 feet from the far end of Runway 35. In other words; he had proceeded about 400 feet down Runway 17 when he had stopped.I immediately applied full throttle; lifted off; and angled to my right; away from the aircraft on the runway. I estimate I was 100 feet off the ground; and 600-1;000 feet to the east of the aircraft when we were abeam. I then announced that there was an unexpected aircraft on the runway; and that I had aborted my landing. I expected a radio response from Aircraft Z; but there was none. Once I completed the pattern and was headed south; I decided not to attempt another landing in Townsend. The fact that the aircraft had stopped; seems to indicate that he had spotted me at least moments before I spotted him. However; the fact that there were no radio transmissions from Aircraft Z at all; seems to indicate that he either did not have a functioning radio; or it was not turned on; or that he was on the wrong frequency. It was not clear to me if Aircraft Z had just landed very short on Runway 17 after the Aircraft Y had taken off going the opposite direction; or if Aircraft Z was attempting to take off on Runway 17 and had stopped. Since I had not seen Aircraft Z in the air; I suspect it was attempting to take off to the south.Had I flown a full pattern; rather than coming straight in; I might have been able to spot Aircraft Z aircraft sooner. That is the only thing I could have done to have reduced the risk in this situation. I do feel the primary factor in this situation; was that Aircraft Z did not make any radio announcements; or if he did; he was on the wrong frequency.
General aviation pilot reported a ground conflict at a non-towered airport with an unannounced aircraft taking off in the opposite direction.