Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 55; Flight Crew Type 55
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft; Ground Incursion Runway
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I was on final to land on Runway 34 at CGE when I observed that a white object I had seen from the pattern near the runway appeared to be a small experimental or ultralight aircraft on the 3rd turn-off of the runway. I instituted a go-around and confirmed that it was an aircraft on the turn-off but it appeared to be unoccupied. The pilot side landing strut appeared to be damaged and portions of the aircraft were directly on the ground and grass just off the runway. I decided to head back to my home airport since I was just going to make several practice landings at CGE anyway. But then I heard on the radio that other aircraft were landing and taking off at CGE; so I assumed that the disabled aircraft had been accounted for and secured and that only the turn-off was inoperative. I then landed on Runway 34 at CGE and taxied past the aircraft. No one was inside the disabled aircraft; but it looked like upon turning left; the inoperative aircraft's landing gear had failed and caused a visible scrape for approximately 15 FT starting on the runway and ending on the turn-off. I took off Runway 34 again; remained in the pattern and landed again on Runway 34. As I taxied past the disabled aircraft again I noticed that almost none of the aircraft was past the runway holding position marking for the turn-off. At that point; still being a new pilot; I did not know who had the right-of-way for the runway since the plane was unoccupied and not on the runway; but also not resting past the taxiway marking. At this point I decided to cut my landing practice session short but still needed to leave for my home airport to get the aircraft back in time for its next reservation. I taxied off the runway back to the taxiway and thought about the best course of action. I didn't know if I should consider the runway closed. Two other single engine aircraft that had been parked at CGE were in front of me and took off from Runway 34. I got in line behind the second one and took off as well. As I lifted off and flew past the disabled aircraft I saw two pick-up trucks driving to the disabled aircraft and two people get out to look at it. At that point I came to the conclusion that this aircraft must have been disabled shortly before I arrived at the airport and that this was not a safe situation. Upon returning home I consulted the 2012 FAR/AIM but I'm still not sure what the correct course of action was per the regulations. I have reached the conclusion though that I hadn't chosen the safest course of action and in the future will not make the same decisions when I see an inoperative aircraft just off a runway. Next time I'll do the go around and continue on to another airport.
A private pilot reported operating near a disabled aircraft that was just off the runway and questioned whether that was legal or advisable.