Citation I (C500)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 118; Flight Crew Total 4100; Flight Crew Type 1100
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Procedure; Airport
When approximately 15 miles southwest of CRG; myself and the first officer determined that it was unlikely we would be able to visually identify CRG due to a low cloud layer that began approximately 10 miles from CRG. At this time we were told to expect the visual approach to runway 5 at CRG. We requested an RNAV approach to runway 14 and were informed that runway 14/32 was NOTAMed closed. Approach control further informed us that a helicopter had visually identified the airport a few miles ahead of our present location. We continued to the airport and were able to spot the airport through a hole in the clouds. We informed approach control and were cleared to conduct a visual approach to runway 5. During the approach we were high and fast and utilized the speed brakes to slow the aircraft and assist in the descent. The aircraft was properly configured and stable approach criteria met prior to reaching 500 feet AGL. An uneventful landing and taxi to the FBO was conducted.During the taxi to the FBO; I questioned the CRG ground controller about when the runway had been closed. He informed me the runway had been closed within the previous half hour and the NOTAM was likely not posted until after we had departed. He stated that the lights for runway 14/32 were being worked on and that caused the runway closure.At CRG runway 14/32 is the only runway with instrument approaches. My recommendation would have been to wait until conditions improved so that visual approaches could be more easily conducted to runway 5/23. If this solution is not possible; then better prior planning and NOTAM dissemination would be nice. We were a Medevac flight with a surgical team and human organ on the aircraft. An unplanned diversion would not have been the worst thing in the world but could have significantly impacted the surgical team and the subsequent transplant procedure.
CE500 Captain reported arriving at CRG to find the only instrument runway NOTAMed closed. Fortunately; a visual approach was possible and accomplished. The NOTAM for runway light repairs had been issued after the flight had departed for CRG.