2011-01 · NASA ASRS report 930722
Two pilots in a light twin reported landing at ADS after mistaking it for a much smaller F69. A new clearance was received and the flight continued to the filed destination.
I had filed flight plan to ADS which we amended about 100 mile from Dallas to land at F69 airport and not at ADS. My second pilot was flying the aircraft and was being vectored from Dallas ATC down at 3;000 FT and told to turn west bound; north of ADS/F69; and given instructions to follow the Challenger who was going to ADS. ATC asked do we see the airport at 9 O'Clock. The pilot flying replied yes; we canceled our IFR and went VFR 1200 on the code; switched to the Tower ADS frequency they told us we cleared to Dallas airpark F69 which is next to ADS; less than 3 miles. The pilot flying switched after talking ADS to the common Unicom for F69 we were so close at the time; however he was landing at ADS and not F69 there was a aircraft on the runway; did a go around and landed at ADS and than realized it was ADS and Not F69 . The pilot flying had MIXED up between airport same flight; we were so close and looking outside the cockpit; there was a lot of traffic and it was our first time to those airport. The pilot flying called the Tower on a land line at the FBO and explained. The Tower told him it happen often there; that is not good. Maybe the Tower should have advised us when we were talking to them. F69 is so small and looks like a street and not a airport. The pilot flying had landed in controlled airspace without clearance.
I was flying left seat with owner. We departed on an IFR flight plan to ADS. While en route; we changed our destination to F69. This was our first time to either airport. We were receiving vectors from Regional Approach Control. They were calling a lot of traffic. We were given a westerly turn and told to follow a Challenger 10 to 11:00 high; it was going to ADS. They called our airport 10:00. This was confirmed by our Garmin 430 and 696. We canceled IFR. They handed us off to ADS Tower. We were in position to turn final so I requested a frequency change to F69 UNICOM. We made the standard calls. On short approach; a small Cessna taxied onto runway. We side-stepped to the right and went around. Flew a tight left hand pattern and landed. Upon clearing the runway; we realized we were at ADS and not at Dallas Airpark. I went into the FBO and called the Tower. The folks at the FBO said this mistake was not uncommon. I was mortified. In many years of flying; nothing like this has happened. We departed ADS and flew to Dallas Airpark; which is approximately 3.5 miles away. It is a very small strip and was difficult to see. While on our final vector from ATC; our relative position to both ADS and F69 were the same. Addison was easy to see; F69 was not. Being unfamiliar with the areas; watching for traffic; both called and not called; looking into the setting sun; all contributed to this screw up. My co-pilot and I were committing on the fact that the Cessna taxied out without making any calls while we had announced we were on short final. Now that is clear; since he was on ADS Tower frequency and we were on UNICOM. Given the closeness of these airports; and since it has happened several times; perhaps ADS Tower should monitor F69 frequency. Another contributing factor; the Challenger; we were told; was going to Addison continued west bound.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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