Seaplane or Amphibian
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Sea; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 1900
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Taxiway; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Airport; Procedure; Aircraft
My planned flight was ZZZ-KVER-ZZZ1. While arriving from the north on 1/2 mile final approach to KVER I noticed that Runway 18 was closed. There was 1 vehicle and 1 person approximately 1;000 feet from approach end on Runway 18; as well as a large yellow X at the threshold. I executed a go around and observed the airport area. I was at approximately 45 minutes total fuel. The 4;000 feet concrete taxiway was clear and not showing closed so I decided to come back around and land; check fuel availability and come up with a contingency plan if no fuel was available at the airport. There was an updated fuel icon on Foreflight. I landed on the parallel taxiway approximately 2;000 feet down; or halfway as to not fly near personnel or vehicle on the closed runway. My aircraft can safely operate in less than 1;000 feet. I felt comfortable with landing on the taxiway and more importantly felt this was the safest decision vs searching for an alternate landing airport with 15 minutes fuel remaining before burning into reserve fuel. During my arrival I tuned into and monitored AWOS 30 miles out and heard nothing. I also made three radio calls on CT frequency announcing my position and intentions of landing Runway 18 at approximately 20; 10; and 5 miles out with request from any other traffic in are but heard nothing. I also made a base; and short final call. While enroute to my planned fuel stop at KVER I encountered stronger headwinds that forecast; and had to deviate approximately 40 miles east of course around some weather. These two delays put my fuel lower that planned but still within comfort level. Clearing the taxiway I passed the airport building and the airport manager came out yelling at me; but said they had fuel when I asked. He met me at the aircraft while fueling and expressed his disappointment with my decision to land at the airport with a closed runway on NOTAM since May. I expressed my decision to make a safe landing vs continuing to another airport with low fuel. We spoke for a bit and told him of my intention to back taxi down the taxiway; turn around and then depart to the south. He said OK. I departed safely and again stayed well clear of any personnel or vehicles working on the closed runway. I fly for [Airline] and know the importance of thoroughly checking NOTAMS. I feel I missed the NOTAM because I had been looking a runway closure NOTAM's at ZZZ all week and must have become complacent visually. I also feel I should have declared an emergency before landing on the taxiway; if only broadcasting it on the CT frequency at KVER. It would have been helpful if AWOS broadcast a recording of RNWY closure. This would have enabled me to make a diversion decision to a nearby airport much earlier; or If the airport manager would have returned a call on CT frequency; If he was monitoring it. I felt bad for making the airport manager upset; apologized to him and recognize my fault in this situation by not seeing the NOTAM regarding the RNWY closure while preflight my route prior to departing ZZZ.
Pilot reported a fuel emergency that resulted in landing at a closed airport.