Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 2300; Flight Crew Type 1000
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Airport; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
I departed ZZZ1 airport that had been closed for 18 days; to ferry another pilot to ZZZ airport to retrieve his plane that was temporarily hangared during closure of ZZZ1. ZZZ is a small; unattended airfield approximately 18 miles SE. I land there often for the self-serve fuel; so very familiar and comfortable at that airport. Arriving from the west/northwest; I announced inbound for Runway 12 over the CTAF. I announced again a 5 mile straight in for Runway 12. On the 5 mile final; we observed movement at the approach end of Runway 12. As we continue the final approach - the object moves to the right side of the runway; and we 'assume' its grass mowing taking place along this airport; which I've seen on prior ZZZ visits. We are landing to the east; into the morning sun. As we touchdown and roll to the other end of the runway; we both observe an 'X' in the grass off the approach end of that Runway 30. Immediately; we both realize 'this runway is closed'. We taxi back down the runway (no taxiways) to the entrance of the ramp and immediately also see workers on the ramp with equipment. And with the now realized 'oil spreading vehicle' with two men slowly approaching us down the runway from our approach end; we shut down our airplane and get out. The two men then state what we've now figured out as well - in that the runway is closed. Landing to the east on Runway 12; into the sun; we did not see the yellow 'X' that was in the grass at the approach end to Runway 12. My experience through the years with runway closures; is that the 'X' is typically on the runway. Understandable as well with the workers resurfacing - they may not be wanting to keep moving the 'X' banner as they are working. Being that we were already on the runway; and the only resurfacing work begun was with one pass of oil on the south side of the runway; the workers were okay; safety wise; with moving their one vehicle to the side as we departed back to ZZZ1. Checking the NOTAMs on Foreflight as we sat on the runway; which we did not do prior to this flight; did show RW 12/30 closed. Greatly regret that this occurred. Would have never landed if having seen the X on the runway; or in the grass at the approach end. Everything is now in retrospect - but the lessons are 'even with a small; rural; familiar airport' - it is the PIC responsibility to be aware of the NOTAMs; and if the approach is looking to be amiss - execute a 'go around' and re-evaluate. We would have more than likely; then; seen the X at the other approach end; and the workers at the ramp area. Again; we assumed 'incorrectly' the movement at the end of the runway to be grass mowing. Do not become complacent due to familiarity of airport; rural location; or lack of activity.
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C-182 pilots reported landing on a closed runway and then departing in different aircraft.