Baron 58/58TC
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 146; Flight Crew Total 3123; Flight Crew Type 700
Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Training / Qualification
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
Enroute to destination; I had occasion to turn comm volume down to speak with a passenger riding in the copilot seat; as he did not have a headset. We had previously been dropped from Flight Following as we were below radar coverage in a mountainous region. We were also not yet in range for CTAF communications at the destination. You already know what happened; I forgot about the volume control. I chose to land on Runway 34 at the destination; there was no traffic on the radio (duh) and a visual search of the area revealed no other traffic. Right after touchdown; at the threshold; I noticed a landing light at the opposite end of the runway. A Cessna had just landed on the opposing runway. Fortunately; we were both well-stopped at opposite ends of the 5;000 FT runway; and there was no 'close call.' After parking; a man appeared from the FBO building and told me that I was the 'not receiving' aircraft. I knew instantly why. As I got ready to depart moments later; I apologized to all on frequency.Not to make excuses; but the other guy; having heard my multiple broadcasts during my arrival; should have gone around; and not insisted on the right of way; I know I would have. This is unfortunately not the first time I have done this in my 35-ish years of flying. Of all the things annunciated on modern avionics; I'll go on record as suggesting that 'LO COMM VOL' should be one of them. Anyway; this is why I feel like a total idiot today.
BE58 pilot landed at a non-towered airport and observed another aircraft land simultaneously on the opposite runway. Although all CTAF calls were made; the BE58 pilot heard no other transmissions due to having previously lowered the radio volume.