Taxiway Runway...?

Question

I'm not a pilot, I just play one with my computer.
I had an experience that made me wonder if it ever happened to anyone really flying.
Me and my MS Flight Sim were poking along nicely when I landed on a taxiway at DFW. Has anyone ever heard of any one do this? Obviously it would be a second-hand account, I don't believe that any pilot would admit to it here.
Thanks....

Answer 1

it does hhappen as I matter of fact I did in my cessna yes I am embarrassed to say it but I knew it would answer your question

Answer 2

This does happen and sometimes intentionally. Currently I am in a Flight Safety course and we talked about an accident where this happened. Long story short - Delta airlines pilot, using his personal plane to commute to work at ATL. Makes 2 missed approaches in the weather, on the 3rd spots what he thinks is the approach lights and lands on a taxiway. Meets a DC-10 head on, and his light aircraft is destroyed. The approach lighting turned out to be the lighting along the front of a warehouse which lined up with the taxiway. I have been to a couple of airports where taxiways were used as backup runways, usually only for aircraft of C-130 size or smaller. Clinton-Sherman airport in Oklahoma, converted a taxiway into a small runway for GA airplanes, and it still works as a taxiway.

So no you are not alone, you committed a error of "expectation". Your brain expected the runway to be there, so that is what you saw. Although since you were in FS, your lack of training may have played a part, but I don't know your level of skill.

Answer 3

Landing on a taxiway by mistake is a fairly common mistake. I've seen it happen twice in the last 5 years at my local airport (KRDU).

About 2 years ago, a PA-23 was cleared to land on Runway 5L (which is about 1/2 mile from Runway 5R.) The pilot landed on the parallel taxiway to Runway 5R instead.

The controller will usually give the pilot "a number to call" after he's parked.

It's also common to use the taxiways for takeoffs and landings at single runway general aviation airports when the "real" runway is closed for repairs.

Answer 4

Actually, this does happen, rarely but semi-regularly. It might happen for a number of reasons. The most obvious, and embarrassing, would be mistake. Further, a pilot might land on a taxiway in an emergency situation. Of course, helicopters operate to and from taxiways all the time.

Answer 5

As an airline pilot, I've studied a lot of accident and incident reports. I do know for a fact that it has happened. I don't remember the specific incident, but I remember some of the report. It was an airliner landing at night. There were parallel runways and they were covered in snow. They landed safely, but I don't remember the specifics. They confused the taxiway with the runway.

Answer 6

It's happened many times. Last year my company was operating to Padang in Indonesia, the runway was being upgraded so they used the taxiway as a temporary runway for all flights.

Answer 7

This is very dangerous, because there is always a lot of slow-moving traffic on taxiways. You can do it in a sim because there aren't any other aircraft around.

Answer 8

landing and take off on runways, going to parking and just moving in between use taxiway

Answer 9

i never have i think i have heard of it happening

Answer 10

its not long enough for that with a comercial plane