Decathlon 8KCAB
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 6500; Flight Crew Type 2000
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Excursion Runway
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Airport; Weather
Unaware of any local rule to the contrary; returned under VFR conditions for landing. Of two runways usually available; one has been closed for extension. Available runway 90 degree direct crosswind had increased to above demonstrated crosswind capability of tailwheel aircraft. With low fuel and very gusty conditions elected to land in grass parallel to closed runway in order to land into the wind. In the grass area there were no personnel and no construction equipment. Landing was without incident; but against local rules. This was done for safety.
The pilot of a Decathlon reported electing to land in the grass adjacent to a closed runway when the gusty winds made the crossing runway a safety concern.