Incident Overview
A pilot flying to Coronado Airport trusted a pilot-rated passenger who stated the airport was 'in sight.' The pilot initially doubted this because the LORAN system indicated the airport was 3 miles away, but relied on the passenger's judgment. The aircraft subsequently landed at Alameda Airport, which was closed.
Communication and Visual Cues
Coronado UNICOM had informed the pilot that multiple balloons were in the area and that runway 17 was favored. While on final approach, the pilot saw two balloons. Approaching the runway, the pilot observed a 'starburst' pattern but did not recognize it as an 'X' painted over the runway numbers 17—a standard marking for a closed runway—until after flaring.
Go-Around and Collision Avoidance
Realizing the error, the pilot aborted the landing and initiated a go-around. As the aircraft lifted off, a hot air balloon was directly ahead. The pilot sharply veered right to avoid a collision. During this maneuver, the stall warning horn sounded continuously as the pilot attempted to maintain airspeed.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft flew under powerlines, struck a chain link fence, and crashed into a parked truck trailer approximately one-quarter mile from the airport.
Contributing Factors
The closed airport runway was not properly marked as suggested by FAA Advisory Circular.