What happened
On March 11, 2017, a Pipistrel Doov Scina Virus, registration N345M, entered the traffic pattern for runway 4 at Okmulgee Regional Airport in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, at approximately 800 feet above the ground. Following touchdown, the pilot did not observe a fence crossing the runway until the aircraft was roughly 300 feet from the obstacle. The aircraft subsequently struck the fence, resulting in no injuries but causing substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 040 degrees at 11 knots.
The investigation
Investigators found that the FAA chart supplement in effect at the time of the accident depicted the runway used for the landing with two "X" marks, signifying that the runway was closed. While the sectional chart showed the surface as an active runway, the airport sketch indicated its closed status.
An examination of photographs of the runway surface revealed that the required yellow "X" markings were nearly invisible, consisting only of fragments of faded yellow paint that did not clearly resemble an "X".