Great discussion,
There is the most beautiful abandoned strip in northern Maine that I have frequented many times in the past 20 years.
It is now closed due to the land being gifted to a "Conservation Society". I have heard on good authority that it was visited a few of times in the past 2 years buy a 90Hp J3 full of camping equipment.
In this case because its so remote one might need to use it if the the engine began running rough and one needed a safe place to land. The only real concern, if there were an incident, would the insurance company buy it.
Tom
That falls into the category of I wouldn't go there. Landing on Private strips and/or landing on Indian reservations without prior permission is a uniquely bad idea. Common courtesy would suggest you ask the owner, and if they decline, stay away.
As to "Public airports", I think you're going to find the answers are all over the map, depending on a bunch of variables.
Suppose the field is closed due to men and equipment on the surfaces, and you choose to land anyway. Unless you're a Congressman or Senator, I suspect you're not going to enjoy the outcome.
Suppose, as previously noted, you land at West Yellowstone in the winter on skis. Airport is closed because they don't plow.....is anybody going to care? If a tree falls in the forest......?
In Fairbanks, the airport regularly waits a bit to put bouys on the float pond prior to opening it in spring. Notamed closed. Call tower and tell them you're landing there...."Landing on the float pond will be at your own risk, report clear".
Same place, I know of one guy who was violated for landing on Bravo taxiway during a big east wind (no crosswind runway, but Bravo was right into wind.) tower specifically denied permission to land Bravo. Metro Field is a few miles east, pointed right into wind....guy wanted to land at FAI for convenience.
Uncontrolled airport, and closed....airport manager may argue to FAA that you landing violated safe operating practice....or not. There were times at another airport...uncontrolled....where airport manager would keep grass runway closed in spring till it was dry. If you had big tires, and a little common sense, he didn't care if you operated there. But land a heavier plane, lock a brake to turn around, then lock a brake to get lined up for takeoff, and you might incur his wrath. Get upside down cause it was wet, and he might be calling FAA...or not.
Last summer enroute to OSH, airport had grass strip, but direct crosswind. Paved surface was maybe 45 degrees. Strong wind. I opted to land in the grass beside the paved surface. Twenty plus component...worked okay. Had it not, I'd have been trying to explain myself. More to that story, but I landed on a non operating surface....same as closed.
Ive been told by ATC Chief here "Some guys with big tires land next to the runway". If I were going to do so, I'd let them know first and if they said no, I wouldn't.
Too many variables to this question to answer with one answer.
i seriously doubt there is any written guidance on landing on closed surfaces, except "don't". Use some common sense, and understand that if you screw up, the FAA might come at you with "careless and reckless". Insurance carrier may not be happy either.
MTV