Gsp approach controller reported that pilots often confuse runway 35 at gyh; a closed runway 6 NM aw...

Attributes
ACN	1340707
Time
Date	201603
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	GSP.TRACON
State Reference	SC
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Light Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Supervisor / CIC Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 17
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Other / Unknown

Narrative:

Aircraft X was turned and cleared for the ILS approach. After the clearance was given; the pilot advised he had the runway in sight. The developmental questioned the pilot and asked if he also had a different airport in sight at 12 o'clock and 5 miles. The pilot advised he had the wrong airport in sight and that he would continue with the ILS approach. We have had several instances within the past month where pilots have tried to land on the closed runway at the wrong airport when they have been cleared for approach into the nearby airport; even if the aircraft is on an instrument approach. The runway at the wrong airport has been closed for decades but pilots still confuse it for the runway at the nearby airport. In addition to controllers properly pointing out the airports in close proximity; it may be beneficial for the airport to put on their ATIS not to confuse the closed runway with their runway. Also depict the closed runway on the ILS approach chart since many pilots seem to quit flying their instruments as soon as they see a runway.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: GSP Approach Controller reported that pilots often confuse Runway 35 at GYH; a closed runway 6 NM away; for Runway 1 at GMU.

Narrative: Aircraft X was turned and cleared for the ILS Approach. After the clearance was given; the pilot advised he had the runway in sight. The developmental questioned the pilot and asked if he also had a different airport in sight at 12 o'clock and 5 miles. The pilot advised he had the wrong airport in sight and that he would continue with the ILS approach. We have had several instances within the past month where pilots have tried to land on the closed runway at the wrong airport when they have been cleared for approach into the nearby airport; even if the aircraft is on an instrument approach. The runway at the wrong airport has been closed for decades but pilots still confuse it for the runway at the nearby airport. In addition to controllers properly pointing out the airports in close proximity; it may be beneficial for the airport to put on their ATIS not to confuse the closed runway with their runway. Also depict the closed runway on the ILS approach chart since many pilots seem to quit flying their instruments as soon as they see a runway.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Gsp approach controller reported that pilots often confuse runway 35 at gyh; a closed runway 6 NM away; for runway 1 at gmu.