Pilot flying on IFR Flight Plan reported NMAC while in cruise flight with a skydiving operation aircraft.

Date: 2022-10 · Aircraft: Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: conflict-airborne-conflict|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-clearance|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

Pilot flying on IFR Flight Plan reported NMAC while in cruise flight with a skydiving operation aircraft.

Narrative

I was on an IFR flight plan and was assigned a clearance direct to ZZZ. This route took me approximately 5 miles west of a skydiving operation. I was in level flight at 6;000 ft.; talking to ZAU when I saw an aircraft maneuvering just west of me on my ADS-B display. I turned to look out the window and saw that he was at my altitude and headed straight toward me. I immediately took evasive action; turning to the left and descending. At that moment; my avionics announced 'Traffic! Less than 1 mile; same altitude.' Simultaneously the Approach Controller announced traffic at my 3 o'clock; less than one mile.Despite my attempts at evading the other aircraft; he maneuvered so that he was still pointed directly at me; and was now less than half a mile away. I realized that he was descending so I started a climb and turned away again; while trying to keep him in view. There were several points where we came very close to a mid-air collision. The entire event lasted about a minute. After recovering level flight and explaining the event to the controller; he informed me that that particular pilot works for a skydiving operation and maneuvers very aggressively. According to the controller; he was not talking to any ATC facilities at the time of the event.I honestly think that ADS-B traffic saved my life. Displaying that aircraft on my Multifunction Flight Display (MFD) and Primary Flight Display (PFD) gave me the extra few seconds that I needed to get out of his way. I also think that skydiving operations should be required to talk to an ATC facility whenever possible. (Maybe an addition to the AIM?) Aggressive maneuvers like this without talking to anyone are a recipe for disaster.

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