A pilot landing at a non-towered airport reported another aircraft turned on to final approach while they were on short final and landed prior to them exiting the runway.

Date: 2025-08 · Aircraft: SR20 · Phase: landing

Anomalies: conflict-airborne-conflict|conflict-ground-conflict|critical|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-incursion-runway

Synopsis

A pilot landing at a non-towered airport reported another aircraft turned on to final approach while they were on short final and landed prior to them exiting the runway.

Narrative

While operating in the traffic pattern at ZZZ I entered the left downwind for Runway XX via a 45-degree entry and announced my intentions for a touch and go on CTAF. I observed a departing Cessna 172 on the upwind leg and heard them announce they would be making left closed traffic for the same runway. I continued on downwind; made my base call; and updated my intentions to a full-stop landing. While on short final for Runway XX; I heard the Cessna report they were conducting a power-off 180 to land on Runway XX. I found this alarming; as they were turning into the final approach path while I was already established. I landed and continued my full-stop landing roll when the Cessna 172 landed on the same runway while I was still on Runway XX. Since my aircraft was established on final and at the lower altitude; per 14 CFR §91.113(g); I had the right-of-way. The Cessna's actions appeared to violate 14 CFR §91.13; as landing on an occupied runway created an unsafe and uncomfortable situation. This constituted a Runway Conflict due to the Cessna landing on an occupied runway.To prevent a recurrence of this type of runway conflict; pilots operating at non-towered airports should maintain heightened situational awareness and clear communication on CTAF; especially when performing non-standard maneuvers such as power-off 180s. All pattern traffic should adhere to standard procedures; make timely position reports; and visually verify that the runway is clear before turning base or final. A verbal call out of 'runway clear' or similar before committing to land could help reinforce this practice. Emphasizing proper application of right-of-way rules under 14 CFR §91.113 during training and flight reviews may also reduce the likelihood of similar conflicts. In this case; a go-around by the trailing aircraft would have been the appropriate and safe course of action.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.