Incident Overview
A pilot reported that while landing at an airport primarily used by aerial applicator pilots, he struck a pile of gravel on the taxiway. The pilot stated it was his first flight to that airport during the current year. According to his account, the customary practice at the airport during the spraying season was for aircraft to land on the taxiway and take off from the runway.
Flight Details
The pilot executed a straight-in approach to the runway from the south. He then landed on the taxiway. During the landing roll-out, the airplane collided with a pile of gravel that had been dumped in the center of the taxiway, located midway between the approach and departure ends of the taxiway.
Pilot Observations
The pilot noted that if he had made a standard downwind entry into the traffic pattern, he would most probably have seen the piles of gravel on the taxiway before landing.
Airport Manager Statement
The airport manager reported that the gravel had been dumped on the taxiway as part of ongoing airport reconstruction. The manager mentioned that there had not been much traffic at the airport recently. He also stated that a NOTAM had not been issued for the closed taxiway.