Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Total 340
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Airport; Human Factors; Chart Or Publication
I overflew the W35 airport as I was unfamiliar with the airport. The runway looked clear and the winds looked calm. I then proceeded to enter the pattern for Runway 29. On very short final; I observed several cones (the ~2 foot tall rubber variety) down the centerline of the runway. This caused a late go around/balked landing. The cones were not brightly colored and were easy to miss. There were no NOTAMs closing the airport nor were there any yellow 'X's on the runway. I read they do drag races on the runway and I assume this is what the cones were from. Regardless; the airport needs to be NOTAM'd closed and yellow Xs erected if the airport is in fact closed or the Operator/Manager of the airport need to ensure the runway is clear. This airport has multiple instrument approaches and I doubt I would have seen the cones in reduced visibility or any kind of precipitation. I'm not sure what else I could have done in this situation. I overflew the field first; checked NOTAMs; and even looked at other pilots comments online. Hitting these cones would have resulted in a very expensive repair; a stuck airplane; and potentially injured people.
Pilot reported a closed runway was not NOTAM'd or properly marked; resulting in a late go-around.